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

“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

Appropriately enough, their sound harks back to the staccato, stuttering beats of 1990s girls bands like TLC and Destiny's Child, complete with lyrics chastising any "trifling good-for-nothing type of brother".

From BBC

Related Words

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