Wiktionary

deadbeat

See also: dead beat

English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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From dead +‎ beat. (This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Pronunciation

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  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈdɛdbiːt/
  • Audio (US):(file)

Noun

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deadbeat (plural deadbeats)

  1. (derogatory) A lazy or irresponsible person who is often unemployed, often depending upon wealthy or otherwise financially independent people for support.
    • 2016 Eric Andrew-Gee Why and how Ontarians change their names in the 21st century The Globe and Mail
      With a few exceptions, all those changes were published in the Ontario Gazette, a little-read compendium of government business that comes out every week. The province requires this by law, as do most Canadian jurisdictions, nominally to thwart fraudsters and deadbeats.
  2. A person who defaults on debts.

Synonyms

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Translations

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Adjective

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deadbeat (not comparable)

  1. (of an instrument) Having a damped needle that stops without oscillation.
  2. Defaulting on one's debts.
  3. Defeated or exhausted.
  4. (derogatory) Lazy or irresponsible.
  5. Dead tired.

Derived terms

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Translations

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