ne'er-do-well

ne'er-do-well Definition

ne'er·-do-well (ner′do̵̅o̅ wel′)

noun

a person who never does anything worthwhile; one who cannot make a living, get things done, etc.

adjective

lazy, inadequate, etc.

ne'er-do-well Synonyms

good-for-nothing, idler, layabout; see loafer.

ne'er-do-well Usage Examples

Adjective modifier

well-known: He was a well-known ne'er-do-well among the Italian colony.
local: Billy turns down a job from Mr Snow because his pride won't allow it, and he befriends the local ne'er-do-well Jigger Craigin.

Modifies a noun

brother: Uncle Jonathan ( John Hannah ), Evelyn's ne'er-do-well brother, remains feckless and lily-livered.

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