bummer

¹ American  

[buhm-er] / ˈbʌm ər /

noun

Slang.

1. a person who bums off others.

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bummer ² American  

[buhm-er] / ˈbʌm ər /

noun

1. the unpleasant aftermath of taking narcotic drugs, especially frightening hallucinations or unpleasant physical sensations.

2. any unpleasant or disappointing experience.

   That concert was a real bummer.

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interjection

1. (used to express disappointment, frustration, or the like).

   Looks like we're having a test tomorrow—bummer!

bummer British  

/ ˈbʌmə /

noun

1. an unpleasant or disappointing experience

2. a vagrant or idler

3. an adverse reaction to a drug, characterized by panic or fear

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Etymology

Origin of bummer¹

An Americanism first recorded in 1850–55; probably from German Bummler, derivative with -er noun suffix ( see -er ¹) of bummeln “to take a stroll, dawdle, loiter” (expressive verb of uncertain origin)

Origin of bummer²

1965–70; apparently bum ¹ (adj. sense) + -er ¹

Explanation

A bummer is a huge disappointment. It's a bummer when you try out for a big role in a play and don't end up getting it. The word bummer is a very casual way to describe or make note of a frustrating experience. You can say, "It was such a bummer when we missed the train," or respond to bad news by saying, "Bummer!" The current meaning is from 1960s slang, but in the 1880s a bummer was a "loafer" or "idle person," probably from the German slang word bummler, "loafer."

Example Sentences

In those years, all the cool surf brands made cute surf clothing, but the emphasis was decidedly more on the aesthetic than the function, which was a bummer when it came to, you know, surfing.

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026

While owners can turn off the banner ads, doing so eliminates the widget altogether, a bummer for Brian Bosworth, a media-industry engineer who liked the feature.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

It’s a bit of a bummer that ad blocking only works with Lightway.

From Salon • Mar. 13, 2026

Are we to believe that one of pop’s bright new stars was once … kind of a bummer?

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026

“It’s a bummer, all right,” George was saying gloomily to Fred.

From "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" by J. K. Rowling