louse

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "louse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small, wingless parasitic insect that can live on mammals, reptilians, and birds. For example, "The chicken coop was infested with lice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

"I AM not sure if you have noticed, but where there is a louse, a nonentity, a low life, thief or fool, they are all Islamists.

The Economist

But a crowded railway carriage was more disgusting than an empty one, and a louse more disgusting than a wasp.These last results confirmed Dr Curtis's suspicion that disgust is not, as many disgustologists believe, just a way of avoiding eating disease-bearing materials.

The Economist

The text is enhanced by Meredith Waterstraat's drawings which, without Disneyesque coyness, convey the beauty of an acorn weevil, of a mantis eating a horse fly and even of a crab louse holding tight to a pubic hair.

The Economist

capitis (the head louse).

Encyclopedia Britannica

One of the sucking lice, the human louse, thrives in conditions of filth and overcrowding and is the carrier of typhus and louse-borne relapsing fever.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The density of louse populations varies enormously on different individuals and also varies seasonally.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Rather than painting moving pen-portraits of soldiers left to rot on stinking, louse-ridden pallets in a hospital built on an open sewer as Dickens would no doubt have done she used death rates to campaign, successfully, for change.Nowadays, a census is part of the standard equipment of a functioning state.

The Economist

Outbreaks of louse-borne diseases were frequent by-products of famine, war, and other disasters before the advent of insecticides (see infectious disease).

Encyclopedia Britannica

A delayed complication of epidemic typhus is Brill-Zinsser disease, or recrudescent typhus, in which mild symptoms of epidemic louse-borne typhus reappear after a latent period, sometimes of many years, in persons who at one time had contracted epidemic typhus.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In east Belfast, a passing po lice patrol rescued two elderly Protestant sisters when a petrol bomb set their home alight.

The Guardian

Her clothes are dirty, she has bruises covering her arms and legs and lice visible in her hair.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about infestations, be specific about the type of "louse" (e.g., head louse, body louse) for clarity and accuracy.

Common error

Avoid using "louse" interchangeably with other insects. "Lice" are specific parasitic insects, and using the term incorrectly can mislead your audience.

Linguistic Context

The word "louse" primarily functions as a noun, referring to a small, wingless parasitic insect. It can also function as a verb, meaning to remove lice. Ludwig provides examples of both usages.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

50%

News & Media

35%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "louse" is a common term with both literal and figurative applications. As Ludwig confirms, it functions primarily as a noun denoting a parasitic insect, but can also serve as a verb meaning to delouse. It appears frequently in encyclopedic and news sources, maintaining a generally neutral tone except when used metaphorically to describe a despicable person, where it takes on a negative connotation. When discussing infestations, specifying the type of "louse" is crucial for clarity. The platform provides many examples from high-quality sources, showcasing its varied use across different contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nit

Refers specifically to the egg of a louse, often used when discussing infestations in more detail.

parasite

A broader term that encompasses organisms living on or in a host, differing from "louse" in its generality.

vermin

Denotes troublesome and unwanted pests, differing from "louse" by encompassing a wider range of creatures.

contemptible person

Uses the figurative meaning of "louse" to describe someone deserving of scorn, shifting the context from literal to metaphorical.

lowlife

Describes a despicable individual, similar to the figurative use of "louse" but with a stronger negative connotation.

scoundrel

Indicates a dishonest or unscrupulous person, differing from "louse" by emphasizing moral failings.

delouse

This is the verb form of removing lice, focusing on the action rather than the insect itself.

infestation

Describes the state of being invaded by parasites like lice, shifting focus from the insect to the overall condition.

wingless insect

A scientifically descriptive term for lice, less common in everyday language and more specific in its categorization.

cootie

An informal and often childish term for a louse, differing in tone and context from the standard term.

FAQs

How to use "louse" in a sentence?

You can use "louse" to describe a parasitic insect, as in, "The child had a "louse" in their hair", or metaphorically to describe a contemptible person.

What's the difference between "louse" and "lice"?

"Louse" is the singular form, referring to one insect, while "lice" is the plural form, referring to multiple insects.

What can I say instead of "louse" when referring to a despicable person?

You can use alternatives like "lowlife", "scoundrel", or "contemptible person" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "louse" to describe someone as unpleasant?

Yes, "louse" can be used metaphorically to describe someone considered unpleasant or despicable, although it's less common than other terms like "jerk" or "creep".