lowlife

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "lowlife" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a person who is considered immoral or contemptible. For example, "John is a real lowlife - he was caught stealing from an elderly woman!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So obviously should have lowlife freaks such as Jimmy Savile, long ago described by Anthony Burgess as "the most evil man in Britain".

The Guardian - Opinion

Tarentilla, one of his most famous plays, clearly foreshadows the Plautine formula with its vivid portrayal of Roman lowlife, intrigue, and love relationships.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Railroaded! (1947) was the first of four noirs that Mann directed for tiny Producers Releasing Corporation (later Eagle-Lion); there a tough cop (Hugh Beaumont) tries to save Sheila Ryan's character from a lowlife hood (John Ireland).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Contrary to the stage version, which travels from Venice to Cyprus and involves lowlife characters such as prostitutes and gulls, the whole opera is set in magnificent palaces in Venice, staging mostly polite exchanges between members of a single noble class of individuals governed by acceptable passions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Jagger and Richards began to act out the group's fascination with the juxtaposition of high society and lowlife: the singer became a jet-set figure; the guitarist, a full-time junkie who finally "cleaned up" in 1977 and thereby saved both his own life and the band's future.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Australian Prime Minister described Gordon Ramsay as a "new form of lowlife" today in the wake of comments the celebrity chef allegedly made about a television presenter down under.

Independent

"I think I can describe his remarks as reflecting a new form of lowlife," Mr Rudd told Fairfax radio.

Independent

Speech Debelle, a south London rapper specialising in beguiling tales of lowlife, won the Mercury Music Prize, much to everyone's surprise (including her label Big Dada, which hadn't pressed up enough copies of Speech Therapy to cope).

Independent

Many Pagford residents want rid of any responsibility for the Fields and its inhabitants – lowlife, drug-addicted scroungers, as they see it – by means of a boundary change, but a small faction of liberals see it as their duty to include and assist the Fields' residents.

Independent

Apart from the sobering topicality the book has retrospectively achieved, this is a vivid, multifaceted picture of an entire community, luminously characterised; the lowlife denizens of Paris have a vitality somewhere between Zola and Elmore Leonard.

Independent

Texan lowlife Chris Emile Hirschh) bangs on the door of the family trailer one rain-lashed night, to be answered by a woman naked from the waist down.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character in fiction, consider using "lowlife" to quickly establish their negative traits and moral standing.

Common error

Avoid using "lowlife" in professional or academic writing where a more neutral or objective term is required. Instead, opt for words like "criminal", "offender", or "unethical individual" to maintain a formal tone.

Linguistic Context

The word "lowlife" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a person considered despicable or untrustworthy. As per Ludwig AI, this usage is accurate and common in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lowlife" is a noun used to describe a person deemed despicable or untrustworthy, primarily expressing strong disapproval. While commonly found in News & Media and encyclopedias, according to Ludwig AI, its usage is generally informal, making it unsuitable for professional or academic contexts. Alternatives such as "scoundrel" or "criminal" may be more appropriate depending on the specific connotation and desired level of formality. The high frequency of examples confirms its established place in the English lexicon, though careful consideration should be given to the context in which it is deployed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scum

Denotes a despicable and worthless person, often involved in immoral or illegal activities.

scoundrel

Implies a deceitful and unscrupulous person, often involved in petty crime.

thug

Conveys a violent and aggressive person, often associated with criminal behavior.

punk

Describes a young, rebellious, and often petty criminal.

degenerate

Suggests a person who has declined in moral or physical qualities, often used in a derogatory way.

rogue

Indicates a dishonest or unprincipled person, often operating outside societal norms.

hooligan

Suggests a rowdy or destructive person, especially one involved in vandalism or public disturbances.

rascal

Suggests a mischievous or playfully dishonest person, often young.

wretch

Indicates a miserable, unfortunate, or despicable person.

creep

Implies someone unpleasant and disturbing, often with predatory undertones.

FAQs

How can I use "lowlife" in a sentence?

You can use "lowlife" to describe someone you consider despicable or untrustworthy. For example, "He's a complete "lowlife" for betraying his friends."

What are some synonyms for "lowlife"?

Alternatives for "lowlife" include "scoundrel", "rascal", "thug", or "scum", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "lowlife" in formal writing?

No, "lowlife" is generally considered informal and derogatory. In formal contexts, it's better to use more neutral terms such as "offender" or "unethical individual".

What's the difference between "lowlife" and "criminal"?

"Criminal" refers specifically to someone who has committed a crime. "Lowlife" is a more general term that describes someone with despicable character or behavior, not necessarily limited to criminal activity.