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# bummer

noun (a bummer, bummers — informal, slang)

«bummer» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. (slang) A bummer is a disappointing or annoying thing or situation: «The rain was a bummer.» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/bummer/#m1)
2. (slang) «What a bummer!» or «Bummer!» is said when something goes wrong, like «What a shame!» or «That's annoying!» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/bummer/#m2)

### In the lessons

Mainly in everyday talk, especially American, Australian and Canadian, among children and adults, to show mild disappointment in a friendly, casual way. It is not rude in the USA, but some older British people think it sounds a bit cheeky, because «bum» is a slang word for bottom in the UK. In stories it makes characters sound casual and relaxed. Phrases: what a bummer, a real bummer, bummer!

### Examples

- The trip was cancelled? What a bummer! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/bummer/#x1)
- It's a bummer that the pool is closed today. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/bummer/#x2)
- (slang) Bummer, I left my lunch at home. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/bummer/#x3)
- Losing the final was a real bummer. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/bummer/#x4)
- «I can't come to your party.» «Aw, bummer.» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/bummer/#x5)
- Getting a cold on the first day of the holidays is such a bummer. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/bummer/#x6)
- It's a bummer, but we can try again tomorrow. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/bummer/#x7)
- The ending of the film was a bit of a bummer. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/bummer/#x8)

### Note

Countable noun: a bummer, bummers. Register: informal slang, fine with friends but not in school essays; in formal writing say «a disappointment» or «a shame». Not a swear word in American English, but in Britain «bum» means bottom, so some people find it slightly rude. Do not use it in a serious situation such as someone being ill or dying; it sounds too light.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «bummer» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/bummer/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«bummer» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/bummer.html) on Mova free.