Ne'er-do-well — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun adjective /ˈner-du̇-ˌwel/

Meaning & Definition of Ne'er-do-well

Ne'er-do-well (noun)

  1. an idle worthless person

Ne'er-do-well (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. having no ambition, success, or value to society

    "the ne'er-do-well denizens of a seedy bar near the docks"

    similar: good-for-nothing, no-account, no-good
    related: idle, indolent, lazy, shiftless, slothful, unambitious, useless, worthless
    near: ambitious, diligent, enterprising, industrious

Ne'er-do-well (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. an idle worthless person

    "the local ne'er-do-wells seem to hang out on the street corners at all hours of the day and night"

    similar: bum, derelict, do-nothing, good-for-nothing, no-account, no-good, no-goodnik, slacker, vagrant
    related: hobo, sundowner (Australian), tramp, vagabond, drifter, roamer, transient, beggar, panhandler, dodger, goldbrick, shirker, gamine, ragamuffin, urchin, waif, drone, idler, lazybones, loafer, slouch, slug, sluggard, down-and-out, indigent, pauper
    near: success, winner

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Ne'er-do-well

The most common words with a similar meaning to Ne'er-do-well:

good-for-nothing, no-account, no-good, bum, derelict, do-nothing, no-goodnik, slacker, vagrant

Related Words for Ne'er-do-well

idle, indolent, lazy, shiftless, slothful, unambitious, useless, worthless, hobo, sundowner, tramp, vagabond, drifter, roamer, transient, beggar, panhandler, dodger, goldbrick, shirker, gamine, ragamuffin, urchin, waif, drone, idler, lazybones, loafer, slouch, slug

Near Antonyms of Ne'er-do-well

ambitious, diligent, enterprising, industrious, success, winner

Word Forms of Ne'er-do-well

Derived words: ne'er-do-well (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Ne'er-do-well

First known use: 1736

Frequently Asked Questions about Ne'er-do-well

What does "Ne'er-do-well" mean?

"Ne'er-do-well" means an idle worthless person. As an a noun and an adjective, it is defined as: an idle worthless person. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Ne'er-do-well"?

Other words for "Ne'er-do-well" include good-for-nothing, no-account, no-good, bum, derelict, do-nothing, no-goodnik and slacker. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Ne'er-do-well" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Ne'er-do-well"?

There are 43 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Ne'er-do-well". Common alternatives include good-for-nothing, no-account, no-good, bum, derelict, do-nothing, no-goodnik, slacker and vagrant.

How do you use "Ne'er-do-well" in a sentence?

Examples of "Ne'er-do-well" in a sentence: "the ne'er-do-well denizens of a seedy bar near the docks"; "the local ne'er-do-wells seem to hang out on the street corners at all hours of the day and night".

Is "Ne'er-do-well" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Ne'er-do-well" can be used as a noun and an adjective, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Ne'er-do-well"?

"Ne'er-do-well" is pronounced /ˈner-du̇-ˌwel/.

What is the origin of the word "Ne'er-do-well"?

First known use: 1736.

What is another word for "Ne'er-do-well" meaning "having no ambition, success, or value to society"?

When "Ne'er-do-well" (adjective) means having no ambition, success, or value to society, synonyms include good-for-nothing, no-account and no-good.