plural bums
1
informal + disapproving
: someone who lives off others and avoids work : sponge
He's a lazy bum.
2
: someone who performs a function poorly
The fans called the umpire a bum.
3
: someone whose time is devoted to a recreational activity
a beach bum
ski bums
4
informal + usually disparaging
: a person who has no established residence and wanders from place to place without lawful or visible means of support
bums sleeping on park benches
see also:
bummed; bumming; bums
US, informal
: disappoint, depress
—usually used with out
The news really bummed me out.
Examples of bum in a Sentence
Noun
if you expect an allowance, you have to do some chores and stop being such a bum
I feel sorry for bums and occasionally give them money
Recent Examples on the Web
Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 9 June 2026
The Kings will inevitably be criticized for making a series of bad decisions and bum deals while Fox, Barnes and Brown grace the game’s grandest stage a year after being cast off under questionable circumstances.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 2 June 2026
Katie Thornton, Harpers Magazine, 26 May 2026
That means, as some critics of the ban have pointed out, that 18-year-olds will almost certainly bum cigarettes from older friends—the same way younger teens have acquired them since time immemorial.
—Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for bum
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Noun
For those caught unaware, the flies will also happily lay eggs in convenient openings such as the nose, mouth, ears, eyes, and even the bum, if available.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 9 June 2026
The Kings will inevitably be criticized for making a series of bad decisions and bum deals while Fox, Barnes and Brown grace the game’s grandest stage a year after being cast off under questionable circumstances.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 2 June 2026
Verb
Some were drawn first to the language and its interna ideo, only to later realize the travel benefits involved; others had learned the language specifically to bum around.
—Katie Thornton, Harpers Magazine, 26 May 2026
That means, as some critics of the ban have pointed out, that 18-year-olds will almost certainly bum cigarettes from older friends—the same way younger teens have acquired them since time immemorial.
—Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for bum
Cite this Entry
“Bum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bum. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bum
1 of 5 noun
bum
2 of 5 adjective1
a
: inferior sense 3, worthless
bum advice
b
: not true or deserved
a bum rap
c
: not enjoyable
a bum trip
2
: unable to work properly : disabled
a bum knee
bum
3 of 5 verb
bummed; bumming
1
: to wander around avoiding work
2
: to obtain by asking or begging
bum a ride
bum
4 of 5 noun1
: a person who avoids work and tries to live off others
Etymology
Noun
Middle English bom
Adjective
perhaps from 4bum
Verb
probably from bummer "one who avoids work"
Noun
probably short for bummer "one who avoids work," probably from German Bummler "loafer"
Verb
probably from bummer
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
