Dead beat
adjective
Someone who avoids paying debts or doing work when they should.
My roommate is a deadbeat. He never contributes to the household bills or chores.
Often appears as...
- dead beat dad
- dead beat mom
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Colloquial
adjective
Being extremely tired.
After a long day at work, I'm absolutely dead beat.
Often appears as...
- feel dead beat
- look dead beat
Usage tips
Informal
Idiomatic
noun
A lethargic, apathetic, or indolent person.
He's a deadbeat, always lazing around and achieving nothing.
Often appears as...
- become a deadbeat
- call someone a deadbeat
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Colloquial
adjective
Someone who avoids paying debts or doing work when they should.
My roommate is a deadbeat. He never contributes to the household bills or chores.
Often appears as...
- dead beat dad
- dead beat mom
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Colloquial
adjective
Being extremely tired.
After a long day at work, I'm absolutely dead beat.
Often appears as...
- feel dead beat
- look dead beat
Usage tips
Informal
Idiomatic
noun
A lethargic, apathetic, or indolent person.
He's a deadbeat, always lazing around and achieving nothing.
Often appears as...
- become a deadbeat
- call someone a deadbeat
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Colloquial
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3American Origin
The term 'deadbeat' originated in the U.S. and may be less familiar in other English-speaking countries.
I never knew what a deadbeat was until I watched American shows.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
'Deadbeat' has a negative tone, suggesting irresponsibility and a lack of and ambition.
He was called a deadbeat for never paying back his loans.
Pro Tip 3/3Not for Formal Settings
Avoid using 'deadbeat' in formal contexts; it's casual slang and might be disrespectful.
In court, they described him as an individual who neglected financial responsibilities, not a deadbeat.
Pro Tip 1/3American Origin
The term 'deadbeat' originated in the U.S. and may be less familiar in other English-speaking countries.
I never knew what a deadbeat was until I watched American shows.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
'Deadbeat' has a negative tone, suggesting irresponsibility and a lack of and ambition.
He was called a deadbeat for never paying back his loans.
Pro Tip 3/3Not for Formal Settings
Avoid using 'deadbeat' in formal contexts; it's casual slang and might be disrespectful.
In court, they described him as an individual who neglected financial responsibilities, not a deadbeat.
Pro Tip 1/3American Origin
The term 'deadbeat' originated in the U.S. and may be less familiar in other English-speaking countries.
I never knew what a deadbeat was until I watched American shows.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
'Deadbeat' has a negative tone, suggesting irresponsibility and a lack of and ambition.
He was called a deadbeat for never paying back his loans.
Pro Tip 3/3Not for Formal Settings
Avoid using 'deadbeat' in formal contexts; it's casual slang and might be disrespectful.
In court, they described him as an individual who neglected financial responsibilities, not a deadbeat.
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