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bum

noun (1)
\ ˈbəm How to pronounce bum (audio) \

Definition of bum

 (Entry 1 of 6)

: buttocks fell down on his bum

bum

adjective

Definition of bum (Entry 2 of 6)

1a : of poor quality or nature bum advice
b : not valid or deserved writing a bum check
c : not pleasant or enjoyable a bum trip
2 : affected or disabled by damage or injury has a bum knee

bum

verb (1)
bummed; bumming

Definition of bum (Entry 3 of 6)

intransitive verb

1 : loaf bummed around the house all day
2 : to spend time unemployed and often wandering —often used with around spent a couple of months bumming around Mexico

transitive verb

: to obtain by asking or begging : cadge bum a cigarette

bum

noun (2)

Definition of bum (Entry 4 of 6)

1a : one who sponges (see sponge entry 2 sense 2) off others and avoids work He's a lazy bum.
b : one who performs a function poorly called the umpire a bum
c : one whose time is devoted to a recreational activity a beach bum ski bums
2 : vagrant, tramp bums sleeping on park benches
on the bum
: with no settled residence or means of support

bum

noun (3)

Definition of bum (Entry 5 of 6)

: a drinking spree : bender a 2-day bum

bum

verb (2)
bummed; bumming; bums

Definition of bum (Entry 6 of 6)

transitive verb

US, informal
: disappoint, depress —usually used with out The news really bummed me out.
Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about bum

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Examples of bum in a Sentence

Adjective

 that was bum advice that you got from that chat room

First Known Use of bum

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1878, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (1)

1863, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun (2)

1864, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (3)

1863, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1970, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for bum

Noun (1)

Middle English bom

Adjective

perhaps from bum entry 4

Verb (1)

probably back-formation from bummer entry 1

Noun (2)

probably short for bummer entry 1

Noun (3)

perhaps from bum entry 3

Verb (2)

probably back-formation from bummer entry 2

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Statistics for bum

Last Updated

23 Apr 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for bum

The first known use of bum was in the 14th century

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More Definitions for bum

bum

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of bum

informal
: of bad quality
: not legally acceptable : not valid
US : injured or damaged

See the full definition for bum in the English Language Learners Dictionary

bum

noun
\ ˈbəm How to pronounce bum (audio) \

Kids Definition of bum

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a person who avoids work
2 : tramp entry 2 sense 1, hobo

bum

verb
bummed; bumming

Kids Definition of bum (Entry 2 of 2)

: to obtain by asking or begging Can I bum a dollar from you?

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More from Merriam-Webster on bum

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with bum

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for bum

Spanish Central: Translation of bum

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bum

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