bummer

1 of 2

noun (1)

bum·​mer ˈbə-mər 

: one that bums

bummer

2 of 2

noun (2)

1

: an unpleasant experience (such as a bad reaction to a hallucinogenic drug)

2

: failure, flop

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• down
• downer

Noun (2)

• bindle stiff
• bum
• hobo
• sundowner [Australian]
• swaggie [chiefly Australian]
• swagman [chiefly Australian]
• tramp
• vagabond
• vagrant

Examples of bummer in a Sentence

Noun (1)

boy, breaking your leg right before vacation is a bummer

the cancellation of the holiday office party was a total bummer

that new start-up company proved to be a real bummer

Noun (2)

a lifelong bummer, he never knew the satisfaction of having to work for a living

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The Lillard-less Bucks will be a bit of a bummer, but more saliently, the timing of this injury may knock a seven-time All-NBA star out of next season, too. —Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025

Pettit's return to Earth is a bit of a bummer for space fans, who will soon be deprived of a source of enjoyment. —Mike Wall, Space.com, 19 Apr. 2025

The bummer: Sikia, which is only open Tuesday through Thursday for lunch, is fully booked for the rest of the semester ending on April 1, with a deep waiting list, management says. —Monica Eng, Axios, 21 Mar. 2025

Anyway, David won, which would turn out to be a bummer of epic proportions due to the imminent jury ramifications. —Dalton Ross, EW.com, 10 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

probably modification of German Bummler loafer, from bummeln to dangle, loaf

Noun (2)

bum entry 2 + -er entry 2

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1855, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1966, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for bummer

• comer
• drummer
• dumber
• hummer
• plumber
• plummer
• somer
• summer
• trimer
• midsummer
• newcomer

Kids Definition

bummer

noun

bum·​mer

ˈbəm-ər

1

: an unpleasant experience, event, or situation

2

: something that fails : flop

Etymology

Noun

²bum