Lowlife Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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lowlife

[ˈləʊlaɪf ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

informal

A person of low social status or moral character; a disreputable or undesirable person.

Synonyms

rascal, rogue, scoundrel, villain.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
lowlife	used to describe a person with low moral standards, often involved in criminal or unethical activities He was known as a lowlife who would cheat his own friends The police caught a lowlife robbing the store
scoundrel	used for someone who behaves dishonestly or unscrupulously, usually with a sense of betrayal or deceit That scoundrel tricked me into giving him money He looked like a gentleman but turned out to be a scoundrel
rascal	refers to a person, often a child, who is mischievous but in a playful and not harmful way The little rascal hid my keys as a prank He's such a rascal, always playing tricks on his siblings
rogue	typically describes someone who behaves in an unpredictable or rebellious way, sometimes charming but unreliable He's a charming rogue who always manages to get out of trouble A rogue soldier disobeyed orders and went on his own mission
villain	often used in stories and movies to describe the main evil character, someone intending to cause harm or chaos The villain in the movie wanted to take over the world She was seen as the villain for her harsh decisions

Examples of usage

He was surrounded by a group of lowlifes at the bar.
Don't trust that lowlife, he will only bring trouble.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

slang

A person who is considered to be of little importance or worth.

Synonyms

loser, nobody, nonentity.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
lowlife	This term is used to describe someone with low moral standards or who is involved in illegal or disreputable activities. It has a strong negative connotation. He's considered a lowlife due to his involvement in criminal activities. Only a lowlife would abandon their family like that.
nobody	This word is typically used to describe someone who is insignificant or lacks recognition. It can be used in a dismissive manner. In the grand scheme of things, we're all nobodies. He started as a nobody in the company but worked his way up to CEO.
loser	This term is often used to describe someone who is unsuccessful or consistently fails in certain areas of life. It can be used in a derogatory way but is sometimes used humorously among friends. Don't listen to him; he's just a loser who never tries anything new. She felt like a loser after failing the exam again.
nonentity	This term describes someone or something that is insignificant or lacks impact and presence. It has a formal tone but is still dismissive. Despite his efforts, he remained a nonentity in the academic world. She treated him as a nonentity, ignoring everything he said.

Examples of usage

He was treated like a lowlife by his boss.
Don't be such a lowlife, show some respect.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Pop Culture

The term became popular in thrillers and crime novels, often used to describe characters involved in illicit activities.
In music, the word has appeared in various hip-hop lyrics, often highlighting themes of struggle and criticism of low standards in lifestyle.
Films and shows in the crime genre frequently depict characters labeled as 'lowlifes' to explore moral dilemmas and the consequences of poor choices.

Psychology

People may label others as 'lowlife' as a way to express contempt or superiority, reflecting social hierarchies and personal biases.
Labeling someone can have profound psychological impacts, reinforcing negative self-images and hindering personal growth.
Social psychologists study the effects of such labels on behavior, noting that being labeled can lead to self-fulfilling prophecies.

Literature

The concept of the 'lowlife' often appears in classic literature as a character archetype representing moral decay or societal failure.
Many authors use lowlife characters to critique social structures, highlighting the gap between different social strata.
In modern literature, lowlifes are often portrayed with complexity, allowing readers to see the circumstances that lead to their choices.

Sociology

The term reflects cultural attitudes toward poverty and criminality, revealing how society views and judges people based on their lifestyle choices.
Sociologists examine how socioeconomic factors contribute to the prevalence of 'lowlife' behaviors, often linking it to systemic issues.
Discussions about lowlives can lead to broader conversations about rehabilitation, social responsibility, and the support needed for individuals to improve their circumstances.

Origin of 'lowlife'

Main points about word origin

The term 'lowlife' originated in the early 20th century, combining 'low' (meaning low in social status) and 'life' (meaning way of living).
Initially, it referred specifically to people considered to be of lower socioeconomic status, often linked to petty crime.
Over time, the word evolved to encompass a broader range of negative behaviors and associations.

The term 'lowlife' originated in the mid-19th century as a compound of 'low' and 'life', referring to a person of low social status or moral character. It has since been used in informal and slang contexts to describe individuals of disreputable or undesirable behavior.

See also: below, low, lowball, lowbrow, lower, lowest, lowliness, lowly, lowness.