ne'er-do-well

WOTD – 31 May 2007    

English

Pronunciation

• (RP) IPA: /ˈnɛə.duˌwɛl/
• (US) IPA: /ˈnɛr.duˌwɛl/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Noun

ne’er-do-well (plural ne’er-do-wells)

1. A person without a means of support; an idle, worthless person; a loafer; a person who is ineffectual, unsuccessful, or completely lacking in merit; a good-for-nothing.
2. A person who is up to no good; a rogue.

Synonyms

• good-for-nothing
• vagabond

Translations

good-for-nothing — see good-for-nothing

Anagrams

• ne're-do-well