1. people who avoid paying their debts or bills
Usage: informal
2. lazy people who avoid work or responsibility
Usage: informal; derogatory

Examples

• The landlord had trouble collecting rent from several deadbeats in the building.
• Credit card companies often write off debts from deadbeats who never pay.
• She called her unemployed brother a deadbeat for living off their parents.
• The company fired three deadbeats who consistently missed deadlines.
• Many deadbeats simply disappear when bills come due.
• His reputation as a deadbeat made it hard to get loans.
• The store owner refused to extend credit to known deadbeats.