bum
B2Informal, often humorous; sometimes offensive when referring to a person.
Definition
Meaning
A person who avoids work, begs, or lives off others; also refers to the buttocks.
Something of poor quality; a lazy period; to spend time aimlessly; to get by begging or scrounging.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Highly polysemous word whose meaning and acceptability depend heavily on context, region, and sense. As a verb meaning 'to scrounge,' it is neutral in some contexts but negative in others.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In UK, 'bum' primarily means 'backside' and is informal but not inherently offensive; the 'idle person' sense is secondary. In US, 'bum' strongly means 'tramp/hobo' or 'lazy person,' which is derogatory; 'buttocks' sense exists but is less dominant.
Connotations
UK: 'Backside' = childish/informal. 'Bum around' = idle. US: 'Bum' (person) = contemptible. 'Bum' (verb) = to mooch. 'Bummed out' = disappointed.
Frequency
More frequent in UK for 'backside.' More frequent in US for 'derelict/loser.' The verb 'to bum' (e.g., 'bum a cigarette') is common in both.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
bum sth (off sb)bum around (a place)be bummed (out)verb + bum: be/live/act like a bumVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “bum steer (bad advice)”
- “bum rap (unfair blame)”
- “on the bum (vagrant; not working)”
- “bum's rush (forceful ejection)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Avoid; highly inappropriate.
Academic
Avoid; too informal.
Everyday
Common in casual speech for 'backside' (UK) or 'to scrounge' (both).
Technical
Not used.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Can I bum a fag off you?
- He just bummed around Brighton all summer.
American English
- Hey, can I bum a dollar?
- Stop bumming cigarettes from everyone.
adverb
British English
- (Rare as adverb) He did it all bum-about-face.
American English
- (Rare as adverb) It went totally bum side up.
adjective
British English
- He's got a bum knee from football.
- That's a bum deal, mate.
American English
- My car has a bum transmission.
- I got a bum steer from that guy.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The baby fell on his bum.
- Don't be a lazy bum!
- He bummed a pen from his classmate.
- I think I pulled a muscle in my bum.
- After graduation, he bummed around Asia for a year.
- She was really bummed out by the bad news.
- The informant gave the detective a deliberate bum steer.
- The ageing rocker was living on the bum, playing dive bars.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
A BUM on a park bench uses his BUM to sit all day, doing BUM all.
Conceptual Metaphor
WORTHLESSNESS IS BEING A BUM (e.g., 'bum deal,' 'bum knee').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate as 'бомж' (homeless person) for the 'backside' sense.
- The verb 'to bum' is not 'бухать' (to drink heavily).
- Не переводите 'beach bum' как 'пляжный бомж', это 'беззаботный отдыхающий'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'bum' (person) in formal contexts.
- Confusing UK 'bum bag' (fanny pack) with US connotations.
- Saying 'I'm a bum' to mean 'I'm tired' (wrong).
Practice
Quiz
In American English, which phrase using 'bum' means 'to disappoint someone'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, but it is informal. It can be offensive if used to describe a person as worthless or lazy, but 'bum' meaning 'backside' is generally inoffensive, especially in UK English.
In US English, 'bum' implies laziness and begging, while 'tramp' (or 'hobo') suggests a travelling homeless person. In UK English, 'tramp' is the standard term for a homeless person, and 'bum' is rarely used this way.
Yes, commonly. 'To bum something' means to obtain it by asking, usually because you have no money or forgot yours (e.g., 'bum a lift/ride'). 'To bum around' means to spend time lazily or without purpose.
A small bag worn around the waist. It's the British English term; in American English, it's called a 'fanny pack.' Note: 'fanny' has different meanings in UK and US English, which can cause confusion.