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’s a bummer because I’m missing out on Rihanna’s makeup that she sells exclusively to Sephora, but I refuse.”

From Fortune

Yet if a band on a board is a bummer, a Tide on offense is a thriller, more than capable of rocketing 79 yards in seven plays with a first possession, 97 yards in five watery plays with a second and 84 yards in six plays with a third.

From Washington Post

Rey Mashayekhi, reporterSure, not being able to safely go to the gym is a bummer, but group yoga—particularly the hot, indoor kind—has been for some of us an even more profound loss.

From Fortune

The sudden stoppage of hardware sales was a real bummer for anyone who was already invested in the system and maybe wanted to monitor one more door or window in the future, or someone who was worried about a sensor breaking.

From Ars Technica

Keeping things like phones and iPads charged when camping is a hassle—and can be a bummer to police.

From Outside Online

Bummer, man: after seven “joint-years,” the airflow increase goes into reverse.

From The Daily Beast

The genuine Bummer is more of a beggar than a thief, though he will steal if he has an opportunity.

From Project Gutenberg

One hates to refuse food to any human being who claims to have need of it, and the Bummer knows this.

From Project Gutenberg

Her stock joke of self-pity was the fact that she had married a Sherman Bummer who had helped to burn her native city.

From Project Gutenberg

From the two words we get the full meaning of the term Bummer.

From Project Gutenberg

Bummer, literally one who sits or idles about; a loafer; one who sponges upon his acquaintances.

From Project Gutenberg