# deadbeat

/ˈdɛdˌbit/ (US) · /dˈɛdbiːt/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/deadbeat
Updated: 2026-05-27

## Definition

a person who does not pay their bills or debts. It is a rude word for someone who is lazy and always in trouble with the law.

For teachers: a person who habitually fails to pay debts or bills; a lazy, irresponsible person.

## Examples

- He is a deadbeat who never pays his rent on time.
- The landlord threatened to call the police after the deadbeat refused to leave the apartment or pay the overdue bills.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.