bum

¹ American  

[buhm] / bʌm /

noun

1. a person who avoids work and sponges on others; loafer; idler.

2. a tramp, hobo, or derelict.

   Synonyms:

   vagrant, vagabond

3. Informal. an enthusiast of a specific sport or recreational activity, especially one who gives it priority over work, family life, etc..

   a ski bum; a tennis bum.

4. Informal. an incompetent person.

5. a drunken orgy; debauch.

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verb (used with object)

bums, present (3rd person singular) bummed, past participle, past bumming present participle

1. Informal. to borrow without expectation of returning; get for nothing; cadge.

   He's always bumming cigarettes from me.

2. Slang. to ruin or spoil.

   The weather bummed our whole weekend.

verb (used without object)

bums, present (3rd person singular) bummed, past participle, past bumming present participle

1. to sponge on others for a living; lead an idle or dissolute life.

2. to live as a hobo.

adjective

bummer, bummest

1. Slang. of poor, wretched, or miserable quality; unsatisfactory.

   I figured $300 was a bum deal for a minor repair, but I paid it anyway.

2. Slang. fraudulent or fake.

   He was accused of issuing a bum check for $2920.

3. Slang. disappointing; unpleasant.

4. Slang. erroneous or ill-advised; misleading.

   I think the gauge is giving me a bum readout.

5. Slang. physically disabled, impaired, or injured.

   a bum leg.

verb phrase

1. bum around to travel, wander, or spend one's time aimlessly.

   We bummed around for a couple of hours after work.

idioms

1. on the bum,

   1. living or traveling as or in a manner suggesting that of a hobo or tramp.

   2. in a state of disrepair or disorder.

      The oven is on the bum again.

2. bum (someone) out, to disappoint, upset, or annoy.

   It really bummed me out that she could have helped and didn't.

bum ² American  

[buhm] / bʌm /

noun

Chiefly British Slang.

1. the buttocks; rump.

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bum ¹ British  

/ bʌm /

noun

1. a disreputable loafer or idler

2. a tramp; hobo

3. an irresponsible, unpleasant, or mean person

4. a person who spends a great deal of time on a specified sport

   baseball bum

5. 1. living as a loafer or vagrant

   2. out of repair; broken

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verb

1. (tr) to get by begging; cadge

   to bum a lift

2. to live by begging or as a vagrant or loafer

3. to spend time to no good purpose; loaf; idle

4. slang to disappoint, annoy, or upset someone

adjective

1. (prenominal) of poor quality; useless

2. wrong or inappropriate

   a bum note

bum ² British  

/ bʌm /

noun

1. slang the buttocks or anus

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bum More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing bum

• on the blink (bum)

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Other Word Forms

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have bummed
  perfect
• has bummed
  perfect 3rd person singular
• has been bumming
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• am bumming
  progressive 1st person singular
• have been bumming
  perfect progressive
• is bumming
  progressive 3rd person singular
• are bumming
  progressive
• bums
  singular 3rd person
• bumming
  participle

Past

• had bummed
  perfect
• were bumming
  progressive plural
• had been bumming
  perfect progressive
• bummed
  participle
• was bumming
  progressive singular
• bummed
  simple

Future

• will bum
  simple
• will have bummed
  perfect
• will be bumming
  progressive
• will have been bumming
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of bum¹

An Americanism first recorded in 1860–65; perhaps a shortening of or back formation from bummer ¹; adjective senses of unclear relation to sense “loafer” and perhaps of distinct origin

Origin of bum²

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English bom; of uncertain origin

Explanation

Your bum is your bottom. This word can also be used to refer to a vagrant, although it's generally considered offensive or insensitive. Bum is a name sometimes given to a beggar or vagrant: someone who tries to bum change from you. This word can also be used as a general insult, as in "The Yankees are bums!" (if you're a Red Sox fan) or "The Red Sox are bums!" (if you're a Yankees fan). A false accusation is a bum rap. As a verb, bum is a term for lazing around, as in, "I didn't have any homework this afternoon, so I just bummed around and played video games."

Example Sentences

Like any respectable conductor, Bugs bows to his audience and turns to face the podium then holds up a sign that reads “THROW THE BUM OUT!” after someone in the audience coughs loudly.

From Los Angeles Times • May 31, 2022

BUECHELE’S BUM SHOULDER: Texas starting quarterback Shane Buechele has not thrown in practice this week because of a bruised shoulder and Herman said his status will be a game-day decision.

From Washington Times • Sep. 8, 2017

When a man coughs, Bugs holds up a sign that says “THROW THE BUM OUT!”

From The New Yorker • May 22, 2015

To BUM, v. n. to make a sound like that of bees; the sound emitted by a bagpipe.

From Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland, Volume XXIV. by Leighton, Alexander

In many desperate attempts, Of warrants, exigents, contempts, 370 It had appear'd with courage bolder Than Serjeant BUM invading shoulder.

From Hudibras by Butler, Samuel

Related Words

• bogus
• fake
• fraudulent
• phony
• sham