bummer

¹

[buhm-er]

noun

Slang.

1. a person who bums off others.

bummer

²

[buhm-er]

noun

1. the unpleasant aftermath of taking narcotic drugs, especially frightening hallucinations or unpleasant physical sensations.

2. any unpleasant or disappointing experience.

   That concert was a real bummer.

interjection

1. (used to express disappointment, frustration, or the like).

   Looks like we're having a test tomorrow—bummer!

bummer

/ ˈbʌmə /

noun

1. an unpleasant or disappointing experience

2. a vagrant or idler

3. an adverse reaction to a drug, characterized by panic or fear

Word History and Origins

Origin of bummer¹

An Americanism first recorded in 1850–55; probably from German Bummler, derivative with -er noun suffix ( -er ¹ ) of bummeln “to take a stroll, dawdle, loiter” (expressive verb of uncertain origin)

Origin of bummer²

1965–70; apparently bum ¹ (adj. sense) + -er ¹

Example Sentences

It was a bummer because I love that record so much, but it did prepare me for today.

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“We don’t want to keep ending up on the beach bummer list — it’s a bummer!”

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Even then, because she’s well equipped, Ross finds delight in the fact that she isn’t experiencing these bummers at home.

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California is having a bummer of a political summer.

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To the writers behind a painfully accurate “Saturday Night Live” commercial for the non-existent store “Forever 31,” they’re stripes in “the bummer rainbow.”

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