Bummer — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈbə-mər/ bum·mer

Meaning & Definition of Bummer

Bummer (noun)

  1. one that bums
  2. an unpleasant experience; specifically, a bad reaction to a hallucinogenic drug
  3. something that is unpleasant or disappointing
  4. failure, flop

Bummer (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. something (as a situation or event) that is depressing

    "boy, breaking your leg right before vacation is a bummer"

    similar: down, downer
    related: bore, drag, accident, fatality, mishap, woe, calamity, catastrophe, debacle, misfortune, tragedy
    opposite: upper
    near: pick-me-up, trip

  2. something that disappoints

    "the cancellation of the holiday office party was a total bummer"

    similar: bringdown, disappointment, letdown
    related: anticlimax, failure, fiasco, fizzle, lemon, loser
    near: success, winner, relief

  3. something that has failed

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

    similar: bomb, bust, catastrophe, clinker, clunker, debacle, disaster, dud, failure, fiasco, fizzle, flop, frost, lemon, loser, miss, shipwreck, turkey, washout
    related: also-ran, disappointment, dog, has-been, near miss, botch, hash, mess, muddle, shambles, nonevent, nonstarter
    opposite: blockbuster, hit, smash, success, winner
    near: corker, crackerjack, dandy, jim-dandy, phenomenon

  4. a homeless wanderer who may beg or steal for a living

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

    similar: bindle stiff, bum, hobo, sundowner (Australian), swaggie (chiefly Australian), swagman (chiefly Australian), tramp, vagabond, vagrant
    related: drifter, roamer, transient, beggar, derelict, mendicant, panhandler, stiff, dodger, malingerer, shirker, slacker, gamine, ragamuffin, urchin, waif

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Bummer

The most common words with a similar meaning to Bummer:

Chiefly Australian: swaggie, swagman
Australian: sundowner
down, downer, bringdown, disappointment, letdown, bomb, bust, catastrophe, clinker, clunker, debacle, disaster, dud, failure, fiasco, fizzle, flop, frost, lemon, loser, miss, shipwreck, turkey, washout, bindle stiff, bum, hobo, tramp, vagabond, vagrant

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Bummer

Words with the opposite meaning of Bummer:

upper, blockbuster, hit, smash, success, winner

Related Words for Bummer

bore, drag, accident, fatality, mishap, woe, calamity, misfortune, tragedy, anticlimax, also-ran, dog, has-been, near miss, botch, hash, mess, muddle, shambles, nonevent, nonstarter, drifter, roamer, transient, beggar, derelict, mendicant, panhandler, stiff, dodger

Near Antonyms of Bummer

pick-me-up, trip, relief, corker, crackerjack, dandy, jim-dandy, phenomenon

Origin & Etymology of Bummer

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

First known use: 1855

Frequently Asked Questions about Bummer

What does "Bummer" mean?

"Bummer" means one that bums. As a noun, it is defined as: one that bums. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Bummer"?

Other words for "Bummer" include down, downer, bringdown, disappointment, letdown, bomb, bust and catastrophe. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Bummer" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Bummer"?

There are 70 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Bummer". Common alternatives include down, downer, bringdown, disappointment, letdown, bomb, bust, catastrophe, clinker and clunker.

What is the opposite of "Bummer"?

Antonyms of "Bummer" include upper, blockbuster, hit, smash, success and winner. Near antonyms include pick-me-up, trip, relief and corker.

How do you use "Bummer" in a sentence?

Examples of "Bummer" in a sentence: "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".

Is "Bummer" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Bummer" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Bummer"?

"Bummer" is pronounced /ˈbə-mər/ and divided into syllables as bum·mer.

What is the origin of the word "Bummer"?

"Bummer" comes from probably modification of German Bummler loafer, from bummeln to dangle, loaf. First known use: 1855.