# bummer

/ˈbəmɝ/ (US) · /bˈʌmɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bummer
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. a disappointment

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal · Slang

a situation that is disappointing, annoying, or unfair.

For teachers: a disappointing, unpleasant, or frustrating experience or situation.

- It was a real bummer that the concert was cancelled at the last minute.
- Missing the final train was a total bummer, especially since it meant paying for an expensive taxi ride home in the rain.

Usage: Often preceded by 'a' or 'a total'.

Teaching tip: While informal, this is very common in spoken English to show sympathy for minor problems.

### 3. a bad drug experience

noun · CEFR C1 · Slang · Informal

a very bad or scary experience while taking illegal drugs.

For teachers: a dysphoric psychological reaction to a psychedelic drug, characterized by intense fear or paranoia.

- He had a major bummer after taking those pills at the party.
- The user experienced a severe bummer, suffering from vivid hallucinations that induced a state of prolonged panic.

Usage: Usually refers specifically to hallucinogenic substances.

Teaching tip: This is the original 1960s counter-culture sense; modern usage has mostly shifted to sense 1.

## Examples

- It is a real bummer that the concert was cancelled.
- Missing the last train home was a total bummer, especially since it started raining right as the station closed.
- While losing the contract was a significant bummer for the team, they managed to pivot their strategy and secure a much larger client by the end of the quarter.

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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.