Meaning of bum in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Verb
    1. Definitions
  3. Classifying Adjective
    1. Definitions
  4. Noun
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /bəm/

    US accent Play button

    UK accent

  1. Verb

    bum

    Definitions

    1. ask for and get free

    Examples

    • « be a parasite »

    Derived terms

  2. 2. be lazy or idle

    Examples

    • « Her son is just bumming around all day »

    Derived terms

  3. Classifying Adjective

    bum

    Definitions

    1. of very poor quality

    Synonyms

  4. Noun

    bum

    Etymology

    mid 19th century: probably from bummer

    Definitions

    1. a person who is deemed to be despicable or contemptible

    Examples

    • « only a rotter would do that »
    • « kill the rat »
    • « throw the bum out »
    • « you cowardly little pukes! »
    • « the British call a contemptible person a 'git' »

    Derived terms

  5. 2. a disreputable vagrant

    Examples

    • « a homeless tramp »
    • « he tried to help the really down-and-out bums »
  6. 3. person who does no work

    Examples

    • « a lazy bum »

    Derived terms

  7. 4. the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on

    Examples

    • « he deserves a good kick in the butt »
    • « are you going to sit on your fanny and do nothing? »

Famous quotes

  • « Working at the Food Bank with my kids is an eye-opener. The face of hunger isn't the bum on the street drinking Sterno it's the working poor. They don't look any different, they don't behave any differently, they're not really any less educated. They are incredibly less privileged, and that's it. »
    Mario Batali
  • « I'd like to look like Madonna when I'm her age. I also look at athletes and love their bodies. I've always wanted to be muscly, not skinny. A lot of women yo-yo around, but I'm always aware if I'm getting a bit out of shape. I never look at the scales but I can just tell. It goes on my tum and bum. »
    Ellie Goulding
  • « Every dad who loves his daughter is not going to want her to go with the penniless slacker loser poet bum, when she could go out with someone who's successful. »
    John Leguizamo
  • « My kid could get a bad X-ray and I could get a call from the doctor saying I have something growing in my bum and that would change my perspective on everything instantaneously, on what is and what is not important. »
    Tom Hanks
  • « As long as you smile, have sparkly eyes and stick your shoulders back, nobody's going to notice your bum or your waist or your feet, for that matter. »
    Cat Deeley

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