good-for-nothing

American  

[good-fer-nuhth-ing, -nuhth-] / ˈgʊd fərˈnʌθ ɪŋ, -ˌnʌθ- /

adjective

1. worthless; of no use.

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noun

1. a worthless or useless person.

good-for-nothing British  

noun

1. an irresponsible or worthless person

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adjective

1. irresponsible; worthless

Etymology

Origin of good-for-nothing

First recorded in 1705–15

Example Sentences

Even better, these things are slow, meaning there’s some chance that my good-for-nothing, lazy-as-mud-on-the-riverbank siblings might actually catch it.

From Literature

“This is an excuse for good-for-nothing children. Only by adapting to society can you become a person of real value,” another wrote.

From Los Angeles Times

Yet later this year up to 40 healthy Australian volunteers may begin receiving infusions of the supposedly good-for-nothing molecule.

From Science Magazine

Seven rubbed the back of her head and silently cursed her awful luck and that good-for-nothing hexed tree.

From Literature

“Have a seat. You look like the zopilotes, those nasty good-for-nothing vultures, beat you up and plucked every feather off your pretty wings.”

From Literature

Related Words

• feckless
• idle
• indolent
• irresponsible
• lazy
• shiftless
• unreliable
• useless
• worthless