deadbeat

• dead beat, dead-beat

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

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈdɛdbiːt/

• Audio (US)

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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.

• (lazy person): see Thesaurus:idler
• (person who defaults on debts): shirker, welcher

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.

• deadbeat dad