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

That's a bummer because erythritol has practically zero calories, works well as an ingredient for keto baking recipes, and is relatively affordable and easily available. —Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 15 June 2025

In a lot of ways, this major-market franchise has become a major bummer. —Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025

The trees don’t have leaves, which might sound like a bummer, but their absence reveals long-range views from trails that are usually socked in by the canopy. —Graham Averill, Outside Online, 25 Apr. 2025

At the time, did you guys view Shane’s near-instant firing from Saturday Night Live a bummer or a blessing? —Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 5 June 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