noun
deadbeat
DEHD-beet
Deadbeat (noun) means a person who avoids responsibility, especially someone who fails to pay debts or support their family. Example: “He was branded a deadbeat after skipping town owing three months' rent.”
noun
1
A person who avoids responsibility, especially someone who fails to pay debts or support their family.
"He was branded a deadbeat after skipping town owing three months' rent."
"She refused to let her ex become a deadbeat dad."
adj
1
Failing to meet financial or family obligations.
"The court chased down deadbeat parents for unpaid child support."
How to use deadbeat
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who dodges their responsibilities, especially paying debts or supporting family.
When to use it
Informal and quite harsh — it's a real insult, not a neutral description.
Common pairings
deadbeat dad
deadbeat tenant
notorious deadbeat
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Word forms
- Plural
- deadbeats
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He was branded a _____ after skipping town owing three months' rent.
Etymology
From dead plus beat, first used for an exhausted person in the 1820s; the debt-dodger sense emerged around the American Civil War.
Class of 1820
deadbeat joined the language around 1820.
See the full Class of 1820 →
Synonyms
View more →
defaulter
idler
Related words
Rhymes for deadbeat
See all rhymes for deadbeat →Frequently asked questions
What does “deadbeat” mean?
The word “deadbeat” means a person who avoids responsibility, especially someone who fails to pay debts or support their family. In plain terms, someone who dodges their responsibilities, especially paying debts or supporting family.
How do you pronounce “deadbeat”?
“Deadbeat” is pronounced DEHD-beet (/ˈdɛdbiːt/ in IPA).
How do you use “deadbeat” in a sentence?
Here is “deadbeat” used in a sentence: “He was branded a deadbeat after skipping town owing three months' rent.”
What is another word for “deadbeat”?
Words with a similar meaning to “deadbeat” include idler.
What part of speech is “deadbeat”?
Depending on how it is used, “deadbeat” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “deadbeat” come from?
The word “deadbeat” dates back to around 1820. From dead plus beat, first used for an exhausted person in the 1820s; the debt-dodger sense emerged around the American Civil War.
How many meanings does “deadbeat” have?
“Deadbeat” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who avoids responsibility, especially someone who fails to pay debts or support their family.
