bum

¹

[buhm]

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.

verb (used with object)

bummed, bumming 

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)

bummed, bumming 

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.

bum

²

[buhm]

noun

Chiefly British Slang.

1. the buttocks; rump.

bum

¹

/ 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

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

/ bʌm /

noun

1. slang,  the buttocks or anus

Word History and Origins

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of bum¹

C19: probably shortened from earlier bummer a loafer, probably from German bummeln to loaf

Origin of bum²

C14: of uncertain origin

Idioms and Phrases

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.

More idioms and phrases containing bum

• on the blink (bum)

Example Sentences

Powell, a steadfast Texas Longhorn fan, teased him: “The fact that Alabama beat you guys at home before Texas could beat you guys at home just really bummed me out.”

From Los Angeles Times

He never griped that he was pitching on short rest, or pitching with a bum arm, or pitching with a terrible offense and an untrustworthy bullpen.

From Los Angeles Times

I take no pleasure in hating “With Love, Meghan” — Markle is a local gal who inarguably got a very bum deal in her early married life, and I honestly want her to succeed.

From Los Angeles Times

There’s a proud skunk owner from Atlanta, a pizza deliveryman from San Bernardino and a bill collector from Denver given a bum steer while tracing a debt.

From Los Angeles Times

“He just wanted to bum around and fish.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bogus 
• fake 
• fraudulent 
• phony 
• sham