# bum

/ˈbəm/ (US) · /bˈʌm/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bum
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. the buttocks

noun · CEFR B1 · British English · Informal

the part of your body that you sit on.

For teachers: the buttocks. This usage is common in British and Commonwealth English but is considered childish or mildly impolite rather than truly vulgar.

- The toddler fell down right on his bum but didn't cry.
- He spent the entire Sunday afternoon sitting on his bum watching cricket, much to the annoyance of his partner who wanted to go for a walk.

Teaching tip: In British English, this is the standard informal word for 'bottom'. In American English, 'butt' is much more common for this meaning.

### 2. a lazy or homeless person

noun · CEFR B2 · American English · Informal

a person who has no home or job, or someone who is very lazy.

For teachers: a person who avoids work and lives on others; also used to describe a person experiencing homelessness.

- He's been a total bum since he lost his job and won't even look for a new one.
- The local residents complained about the bums sleeping in the park, though the city lacked sufficient shelter space to house them.

Teaching tip: This can be quite derogatory. Use with caution when referring to people in difficult social situations.

### 3. to borrow for free

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal · Slang

to ask someone to give you something for free, like a cigarette or a lift.

For teachers: to obtain something by begging or borrowing without the intent of returning it. Often used with 'off' or 'from'.

- Can I bum a cigarette off you?
- He managed to bum a ride to the coast with some students who were heading that way for the weekend.

### 4. to make someone sad

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal · Slang

to make someone feel sad or disappointed.

For teachers: to depress or dispirit someone. Almost always used in the phrasal form 'bum out'.

- It really bums me out that we can't go to the concert tonight.
- The news about the budget cuts really bummed the whole team out, especially after they had worked so hard on the project.

### 5. bad or broken

adjective · CEFR C1 · Informal · Slang

of poor quality, or not working correctly.

For teachers: of poor quality, useless, or physically defective (such as an injury).

- I can't go hiking because I have a bum knee.
- The mechanic told me the car was a total loss because of a bum engine that would cost more to fix than the vehicle was worth.

## Examples

- The manager called him a bum for skipping shifts repeatedly.
- The article criticized the politician for living off government handouts, calling him a lazy bum.
- In the novel, the protagonist's descent into poverty is depicted through his reluctant acceptance of a life defined by the harsh realities of being a bum in a struggling economy.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.