bummer

1 of 2

noun (1)

bum·​mer ˈbə-mər 

: one that bums

bummer

2 of 2

noun (2)

1

a

: an unpleasant experience

specifically : a bad reaction to a hallucinogenic drug

b

: something that is unpleasant or disappointing

You can't go? What a bummer!

2

: failure, flop

Synonyms of bummer

Noun (1)

• accident
• bore
• downer

Noun (2)

• hobo
• beggar
• bum
• transient
• tramp
• swaggie

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

Rumors of such a move surfaced a while back … but still a bummer. — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 24 June 2026

Game 3 of the 2017 finals was a bummer. — Joe Vardon, New York Times, 20 May 2026

Certainly not from the game itself; basketball moves fast, and a bummer can become a bust in a blink. — Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026

Kara has a backstory, which turns out to be an overinflated CGI bummer. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 24 June 2026

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)

circa 1965, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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