Deadbeat - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Definition:
A person who avoids paying debts or responsibilities, often lazy or unreliable.
Synonyms:
freeloader, moocher, sponger, idler
Part of Speech:
noun, adjective
Antonyms:
hard worker, responsible person
Common Collocations:
deadbeat dad, deadbeat borrower, deadbeat tenant
Derivatives:
deadbeatery (rare), deadbeatism (rare)
Usage Tips:
Use "deadbeat" to describe someone who shirks financial or social obligations; often informal and derogatory.
Common Phrases:
deadbeat dad, deadbeat borrower, call someone a deadbeat
Etymology:
Originated in 19th-century America, combining "dead" (lifeless) and "beat" (exhausted or defeated).
Examples:
- 1. He’s a deadbeat who never pays his bills on time.
- 2. The landlord evicted the deadbeat tenant for unpaid rent.
- 3. She called her ex-husband a deadbeat for skipping child support.
- 4. Don’t lend him money—he’s a known deadbeat borrower.