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lame

n.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈɫeɪm// lame Archaic Informal Slang Vulgar

n. boring, uncool, or not very good. You use this to describe an excuse that is hard to believe or a party that is not fun.

n. lacking in spirit, interest, or effectiveness; socially awkward or uncool. Often used to describe weak arguments or unconvincing excuses.


SIMPLE

That is such a lame excuse for being late.

CONTEXTUAL

I decided to leave the party early because the music was lame and nobody was dancing.

COMPLEX

While the special effects in the film were impressive, the plot was remarkably lame, relying on tired tropes and predictable dialogue that failed to engage the audience.

Synonyms
Etymology 1

From Middle English lame, from Old English lama (“lame”), from Proto-West Germanic lam, from Proto-Germanic lamaz (“lame”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₃lemH- (“to tire; to break”).

Etymology 2

From Middle French lame, from Latin lāmina. Doublet of lamina.

Usage

Primarily used as a predicative or attributive adjective in informal speech; the original sense referring to physical disability is now widely considered offensive.

Idioms1 entry

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