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

"What can you do with this good-for-nothing pension? Were it not for my son helping me out I'd be unable to buy my medicine," she complained at the march in the capital, Caracas.

From Barron's

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

Related Words

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