bummer

«bummer» in Mova's school dictionary: a disappointing or annoying thing or situation: «The rain… — its meaning for a pupil, its sense in the lessons and examples, with 1 sentence of Mova's corpora that use it.

part of speech

noun (a bummer, bummers — informal, slang)

meaning for a pupil

1) (slang) A bummer is a disappointing or annoying thing or situation: «The rain was a bummer.» tree →

2) (slang) «What a bummer!» or «Bummer!» is said when something goes wrong, like «What a shame!» or «That's annoying!» tree →

sense 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 →
• It's a bummer that the pool is closed today. tree →
• (slang) Bummer, I left my lunch at home. tree →
• Losing the final was a real bummer. tree →
• «I can't come to your party.» «Aw, bummer.» tree →
• Getting a cold on the first day of the holidays is such a bummer. tree →
• It's a bummer, but we can try again tomorrow. tree →
• The ending of the film was a bit of a bummer. tree →

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.

In the corpora

• I got a scooter.» Afterwards Grandpa ruffles her hair: «Bummer of a call, kiddo?

Trees and pragmatics

Every meaning and example of «bummer» parsed by Mova, each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.