Deadbeat
noun
A person who doesn't fulfill their obligations, especially the one who avoids paying debts.
Her ex-husband is a deadbeat dad because he refuses to pay child support.
Often appears as...
- deadbeat dad
- deadbeat mom
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Colloquial
adjective
Relating to or being a person who fails to fulfill their obligations or duties.
He was a deadbeat tenant who never paid his rent on time.
Often appears as...
- deadbeat tenant
- deadbeat parent
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Colloquial
noun
A person who doesn't fulfill their obligations, especially the one who avoids paying debts.
Her ex-husband is a deadbeat dad because he refuses to pay child support.
Often appears as...
- deadbeat dad
- deadbeat mom
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Colloquial
adjective
Relating to or being a person who fails to fulfill their obligations or duties.
He was a deadbeat tenant who never paid his rent on time.
Often appears as...
- deadbeat tenant
- deadbeat parent
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Colloquial
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Tone
The term 'deadbeat' is often used with a strong negative tone to express disapproval.
Don't trust him with money, he's a complete deadbeat.
Pro Tip 2/3Personal Relationships
'Deadbeat' can damage relationships if used to label someone, as it implies unreliability.
My sister called her boyfriend a deadbeat, and they broke up.
Pro Tip 3/3Avoid in Formality
Not suitable for formal contexts; use more polite terms like 'financially irresponsible' instead.
In the business meeting, we referred to the client as 'financially unreliable,' not a 'deadbeat.'
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Tone
The term 'deadbeat' is often used with a strong negative tone to express disapproval.
Don't trust him with money, he's a complete deadbeat.
Pro Tip 2/3Personal Relationships
'Deadbeat' can damage relationships if used to label someone, as it implies unreliability.
My sister called her boyfriend a deadbeat, and they broke up.
Pro Tip 3/3Avoid in Formality
Not suitable for formal contexts; use more polite terms like 'financially irresponsible' instead.
In the business meeting, we referred to the client as 'financially unreliable,' not a 'deadbeat.'
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Tone
The term 'deadbeat' is often used with a strong negative tone to express disapproval.
Don't trust him with money, he's a complete deadbeat.
Pro Tip 2/3Personal Relationships
'Deadbeat' can damage relationships if used to label someone, as it implies unreliability.
My sister called her boyfriend a deadbeat, and they broke up.
Pro Tip 3/3Avoid in Formality
Not suitable for formal contexts; use more polite terms like 'financially irresponsible' instead.
In the business meeting, we referred to the client as 'financially unreliable,' not a 'deadbeat.'
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Video examples
Joel Leon: The...
that's a good one -- "deadbeat dad" and, my personal favorite, "baby daddy." "Baby daddy," for those not in the know, refers to an individual who helps to conceive a child but does little else. Baby daddy is also someone who is not married by law
Video examples
Joel Leon: The...
that's a good one -- "deadbeat dad" and, my personal favorite, "baby daddy." "Baby daddy," for those not in the know, refers to an individual who helps to conceive a child but does little else. Baby daddy is also someone who is not married by law
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
Dominic West
British Actor
I've hung out at dozens of playgrounds, bored out of my mind, with not even a look of comfort from disapproving mothers all around me. Either they think I'm a pedophile or a deadbeat dad. That's what I get for being a single dad - suspicious looks at the playground.
Quote examples
KRS-One
American Musician
Many of us were raised without a father, and the subject of deadbeat dads hits home in a lot of areas. Most of all, doing a song about being a father to your daughter flies straight in the face of the argument that says hip-hop is misogynistic.
Quote examples
Louie Gohmert
American Politician
It began to really eat away with me that in the '60s the federal government, desiring to help poor moms who were dealing with deadbeat dads, decided, 'We'll help: we'll give a check for every child you can have out of wedlock.
Quote examples
J. R. Moehringer
American Journalist
My father was a food lover and a deadbeat dad, and maybe a connection between good food and bad dads was forged early, in the deepest folds of my subconscious, where we make so many decisions about our parents.
Quote examples
Rod Blagojevich
American Politician
One of the greatest challenges in collecting child support is that deadbeat dads move from job to job and state to state. it's hard to keep track of them.
Quote examples
Taboo
American Musician
I didn't want to be a deadbeat dad, so I said, 'OK, my mission is to provide for my son in the future,
Quote examples
Kris Marshall
English Actor
I'm quite a deadbeat person. I like to mooch around and go on walks and laze.
Quote examples
Dominic West
British Actor
I've hung out at dozens of playgrounds, bored out of my mind, with not even a look of comfort from disapproving mothers all around me. Either they think I'm a pedophile or a deadbeat dad. That's what I get for being a single dad - suspicious looks at the playground.
Quote examples
KRS-One
American Musician
Many of us were raised without a father, and the subject of deadbeat dads hits home in a lot of areas. Most of all, doing a song about being a father to your daughter flies straight in the face of the argument that says hip-hop is misogynistic.
Quote examples
Louie Gohmert
American Politician
It began to really eat away with me that in the '60s the federal government, desiring to help poor moms who were dealing with deadbeat dads, decided, 'We'll help: we'll give a check for every child you can have out of wedlock.
Quote examples
J. R. Moehringer
American Journalist
My father was a food lover and a deadbeat dad, and maybe a connection between good food and bad dads was forged early, in the deepest folds of my subconscious, where we make so many decisions about our parents.
Quote examples
Rod Blagojevich
American Politician
One of the greatest challenges in collecting child support is that deadbeat dads move from job to job and state to state. it's hard to keep track of them.
Quote examples
Taboo
American Musician
I didn't want to be a deadbeat dad, so I said, 'OK, my mission is to provide for my son in the future,
Quote examples
Kris Marshall
English Actor
I'm quite a deadbeat person. I like to mooch around and go on walks and laze.
Example 1 of 7
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