no-account
LowInformal, colloquial
Definition
Meaning
a worthless or unreliable person
An adjective or noun describing a person (or sometimes thing) that is considered to be of no value, importance, or reliability.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Originally and primarily used as an attributive adjective ('a no-account scoundrel'), but often used as a count noun ('he's a real no-account'). The meaning is emphatic and judgmental. It is somewhat archaic but survives in certain regional and fictional speech.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is understood in British English but is distinctly more common and established in American English, particularly in Southern and rural dialects.
Connotations
Carries strong connotations of shiftlessness, irresponsibility, and low moral character. In AmE, it is often associated with rustic or folksy speech.
Frequency
Significantly more frequent in American English. In British English, it is rare and would likely be perceived as an Americanism or a deliberately archaic/stylistic choice.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[be] a no-accountthat no-account [noun][adjective] no-accountVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[He's/She's] no-account and proud of it.”
- “not a penny to his name and a no-account to boot.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used. Considered unprofessional.
Academic
Not used; lacks precision and is too colloquial.
Everyday
Used in informal speech, often for humorous or emphatic disparagement, primarily in AmE.
Technical
Not applicable.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- He fell in with some no-account ruffians down by the docks.
- It was a no-account plan from the start.
American English
- She warned me not to trust that no-account salesman.
- He's just another no-account politician making promises.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My uncle called him a lazy, no-account man.
- Don't listen to that no-account; he doesn't know what he's talking about.
- The whole scheme was dreamed up by a bunch of no-accounts looking for a quick profit.
- Despite his no-account reputation, he somehow managed to secure the loan.
- The town's economic decline was blamed in part on a succession of no-account mayors more interested in graft than governance.
- Her memoir painted her father not as a villain, but as a tragic, no-account figure who could never live up to his own dreams.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a bank account with a balance of ZERO. A 'no-account' person has zero social or moral value.
Conceptual Metaphor
WORTH IS MONEY / VALUE IS FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING (A person's worth is measured like a financial balance; a 'no-account' has a zero balance of virtues.)
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate literally as "нет счета" (no invoice/bill).
- Avoid associating with "незначительный" (insignificant) – it's stronger and more moralistic.
- Closer conceptually to "никудышный", "ничтожество", or "бесполезный человек".
Common Mistakes
- Using it in formal writing.
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'He no-accounted for his actions').
- Hyphenation: 'no account' (two words) is less standard for the adjective/noun form.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'no-account' be LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily for people, but it can be extended metaphorically to describe plans, ideas, or things considered worthless (e.g., 'a no-account scheme').
It is strongly derogatory and contemptuous. It's not a swear word, but it is a serious insult to someone's character and worth.
They are very close synonyms. 'No-account' can sometimes imply a lack of social standing or reliability, while 'good-for-nothing' is slightly more focused on laziness and lack of productivity. They are often used interchangeably.
Yes, when used as an adjective or a noun ('a no-account fellow', 'he's a no-account'). The hyphen connects the words into a single compound modifier or noun.