1
a
: 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
bummed; bumming
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
: to obtain by asking or begging : cadge
bum a cigarette
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 (1) I decided to get off my bum and get some exercise Adjective that was bum advice that you got from that website Verb (1) spent most of the summer just bumming around the house Noun (2) 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 
Essence Wiley, InStyle, 6 Apr. 2026 Coach told us to be first one to the ball and to make those 50/50 plays, to do it on a bum ankle but still being able to give it my all and leave everything there for my teammates. —Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2026 Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026 Spring cleaning bumming you out? —K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 31 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bum
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Tankinis are a good swimwear choice for people who want adequate bust support, ease of movement, bum coverage, and tummy control. —Essence Wiley, InStyle, 6 Apr. 2026 Coach told us to be first one to the ball and to make those 50/50 plays, to do it on a bum ankle but still being able to give it my all and leave everything there for my teammates. —Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2026 Verb
On March 17, a video obtained by TMZ showed LaBeouf in a hotel lobby in Rome, Italy, wearing only his underwear and trying to bum a light for a cigarette. —Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026 Spring cleaning bumming you out? —K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 31 Mar. 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 12 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bum
1 of 5 nounbum
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 
