Menu

Ne'er-do-well for Dummies

noun

pronunciation: 'nɜrdu,wel

What does Ne'er-do-well really mean?

52 1
52

Ne'er-do-well is an interesting word that people sometimes use to describe someone who isn't very successful or hardworking in life. It's kind of a funny term, isn't it? So, imagine a person who is always lazy, never really puts effort into anything, and ends up not achieving anything significant in their life. They may not have a job or any particular goals, and they tend to laze around all day without any real direction or ambition.

Think of a ne'er-do-well as someone who is just floating through life, not really making any waves or accomplishing much. They often rely on others to take care of them or help them out because they lack the motivation or drive to do it themselves. It's like they're content with just getting by and not striving for better things.

Now, there's another definition of ne'er-do-well that relates more to someone who is considered a troublemaker or a miscreant. You know, someone who frequently causes problems or gets into trouble. So, imagine a person who consistently breaks rules, disobeys authority, and engages in behavior that is generally frowned upon by society. They may be involved in petty crimes, constantly getting into fights, or even causing disruptions in a classroom setting.

Overall, the term "ne'er-do-well" is used to describe individuals who either lack ambition and drive or consistently engage in troublemaking activities. It's not a very positive term, as it implies a certain level of laziness or disregard for the rules. So, if someone refers to another person as a ne'er-do-well, they're basically saying that this person is either lazy and unmotivated or a frequent troublemaker.


Revised and Fact checked by John Smith on 2023-10-29 11:17:43

Ne'er-do-well In a sentece

Learn how to use Ne'er-do-well inside a sentece

  • Oliver's uncle was a ne'er-do-well who never held down a job and always relied on others for support.
  • Despite his potential, Kevin chose to hang out with ne'er-do-wells and engage in reckless behavior.
  • The town gossip always loved to spread rumors about the ne'er-do-well living next door.
  • Amy's parents were concerned about her dating a known ne'er-do-well who had a criminal record.
  • The town council decided to take action against the group of ne'er-do-wells who were causing trouble in the park.

Ne'er-do-well Synonyms

Words that can be interchanged for the original word in the same context.

Ne'er-do-well Hypernyms

Words that are more generic than the original word.