definitions

RELATED CONTENT

What Are The Differences Between These Emoji Faces?For all the emotional support they give us, it's not always clear what all these emoji faces are meant to show. That's why we've rounded up some of them. You'll laugh, you'll cry … or, at least, the emoji will.
READ MORE
🇦🇹- Flag for Austria Emoji - Emoji by Dictionary.comRead more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
READ MORE

RELATED WORDS

derelict, stiff, vagrant, drifter, tramp, transient, vagabond, hobo, guttersnipe, floater, bindle

Nearby words

bulrush, bultmann, bulwark, bulwer, bulwer-lytton, bum, bum around, bum bag, bum out, bum rap, bum steer

Idioms

    bum (someone) out, Slang. to disappoint, upset, or annoy: It really bummed me out that she could have helped and didn't.
    on the bum, Informal.
    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.

Origin of bum

1
1860–65, Americanism; perhaps shortening of or back formation from bummer1; adj. senses of unclear relation to sense “loafer” and perhaps of distinct orig.

Definition for bum (2 of 3)

bum

2
[ buhm ]
/ bʌm /

noun Chiefly British Slang.

the buttocks; rump.

Origin of bum

2
1350–1400; Middle English bom; of uncertain origin

Definition for bum (3 of 3)

bum

3
[ buhm ]
/ bʌm /

noun Military Slang.

a reproduction of a document made with copying equipment.
a bag into which classified waste is put in preparation for destruction.

Origin of bum

3
perhaps as shortening of bumf or bumfodder; def. 2 presumably as shortening of bum bag
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for bum

British Dictionary definitions for bum (1 of 2)

bum

1
/ (bʌm) /

noun

British slang the buttocks or anus

Word Origin for bum

C14: of uncertain origin

British Dictionary definitions for bum (2 of 2)

bum

2
/ (bʌm) informal /

noun

verb bums, bumming or bummed

adjective

(prenominal) of poor quality; useless
wrong or inappropriatea bum note

Word Origin for bum

C19: probably shortened from earlier bummer a loafer, probably from German bummeln to loaf
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Idioms and Phrases with bum

bum

In addition to the idioms beginning with bum

  • bum around
  • bum out
  • bum rap
  • bum steer

also see:

  • on the blink (bum)
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.