Meaning of the word bum in English

What does bum mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.

bum

US /bʌm/

UK /bʌm/

a person who is lazy, unemployed, and without a home

Example:

•

He lives like a bum, always asking for money.

•

The park bench was occupied by a sleeping bum.

Synonym:

hobo tramp vagabond drifter loafer

(informal, chiefly US) the buttocks

Example:

•

He fell and landed on his bum.

•

My bum is sore from sitting all day.

Synonym:

buttocks ass rear bottom derriere

to live as a bum; to loaf or idle

Example:

•

He decided to bum around Europe for a few months.

•

Don't just bum around all day; find something productive to do.

Synonym:

loaf idle lounge laze dawdle

(informal) to borrow without intending to return; to cadge

Example:

•

Can I bum a cigarette off you?

•

He's always trying to bum money from his friends.

Synonym:

cadge scrounge mooch sponge beg

(informal) of poor quality or undesirable

Example:

•

This movie is really bum.

•

I got a bum deal on that car.

Synonym:

bad poor inferior lousy crappy