bummer

¹ American  

[buhm-er] / ˈbʌm ər /

noun

Slang.

1. a person who bums off others.

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bummer ² American  

[buhm-er] / ˈbʌm ər /

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.

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interjection

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

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

bummer British  

/ 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

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Etymology

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 bummer¹

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

Example Sentences

Not to be a total bummer, but that was our last visit.

From Literature

“We don’t want to end our essay on a huge bummer,” she noted in a blog post.

From The Wall Street Journal

“It was such a bummer to lose him.”

From Los Angeles Times

It’s a bummer it took so long to get his remarkable talent to a winning team, and of course it had to be the Dodgers, but: It worked.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From Los Angeles Times