good-for-nothing

[good-fer-nuhth-ing, -nuhth-]

adjective

1. worthless; of no use.

noun

1. a worthless or useless person.

good-for-nothing

noun

1. an irresponsible or worthless person

adjective

1. irresponsible; worthless

Word History and Origins

Origin of good-for-nothing¹

First recorded in 1705–15

Example Sentences

His adoptive father, Louis, was an accountant who was forever telling Larry that he was a good-for-nothing.

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

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

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

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“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.”

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Related Words

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