it feels lousy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it feels lousy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a feeling of discomfort, dissatisfaction, or unhappiness about a situation or experience. Example: "After hearing the news, it feels lousy to think about what could have been."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

(I agree, but it feels lousy saying it).

The New Yorker

"It feels lousy," he said at the time.

The New York Times

"It feels lousy," said Mr. Lautenberg, who tells anyone who asks that, in hindsight, he regrets his decision to retire from the Senate after 18 years in office.

The New York Times

Frankly, it feels lousy to have a bunch of police mouthpieces call me a cop hater.

Los Angeles Times

We know that what we are feeling may not be logical, may not be reality, but that doesn't change how it feels -- and it feels lousy.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"The fans booing the second pick in the draft -- it felt lousy," Banner said.

The New York Times - Sports

It's that, predictably, I felt lousy afterward, as many people say they do after eating fast food.

The New York Times

But it sure feels lousy.

The New York Times - Style

Growth in the 0%-3% range is technically growth; it just feels lousy.

Forbes

HUTSCHNECKER: I feel lousy, frankly.

The New York Times - Magazine

When I recommend such effective home remedies, I often get a blank stare: "But I feel lousy, doc — I really need something, like an antibiotic".

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it feels lousy" to express personal feelings of discomfort or dissatisfaction in informal contexts. It is suitable for conveying a mild to moderate negative emotional state.

Common error

Avoid using "it feels lousy" in formal writing. Opt for more professional alternatives like "it is unsatisfactory" or "it is regrettable" to maintain a polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it feels lousy" functions as a subjective expression of feeling or sensation. It combines the pronoun 'it' with the linking verb 'feels' and the adjective 'lousy' to describe an unpleasant emotional or physical state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s a way to express discomfort or dissatisfaction.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academic

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it feels lousy" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to convey a feeling of discomfort, dissatisfaction, or unhappiness. Ludwig AI confirms this. While acceptable in many contexts, it is best suited for informal communication. The phrase sees common use in news and media, though less so in formal or academic writing. For more formal situations, alternatives like "it feels terrible" or "it is unsatisfactory" may be more appropriate. Understanding the context and desired level of formality is key to effectively using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it feels awful

Similar in meaning, but conveys a stronger sense of unpleasantness.

it feels terrible

Implies a more severe negative feeling compared to "lousy".

it feels bad

A more general expression of negative feeling, less specific than "lousy".

it feels unpleasant

More formal and mild, focusing on a lack of pleasure.

it feels disagreeable

Similar to "unpleasant" but slightly stronger and more formal.

it feels crummy

Informal and similar in intensity to "lousy".

it feels rotten

Implies a sense of being morally or physically decayed or corrupt.

it feels sickening

Suggests a feeling of nausea or disgust.

it feels uncomfortable

Focuses on a lack of physical or emotional ease.

it feels off

Indicates a subtle sense that something is not right or normal.

FAQs

What does "it feels lousy" mean?

The phrase "it feels lousy" expresses a feeling of being unwell, unhappy, or generally dissatisfied with a situation or experience. It indicates a negative emotional or physical state.

What can I say instead of "it feels lousy"?

You can use alternatives like "it feels awful", "it feels terrible", or "it feels bad" depending on the intensity you want to convey.

Is "it feels lousy" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "it feels lousy" is generally considered informal. For formal writing, consider using phrases like "it is unsatisfactory" or "it is regrettable".

How can I use "it feels lousy" in a sentence?

You can use "it feels lousy" to describe how a situation or experience makes you feel. For example: "After the game, "it felt lousy" to have lost", or "It feels lousy to know I didn't prepare enough for the exam".