bummer
1 of 2noun (1)
bum·mer ˈbə-mər 
: one that bums
bummer
2 of 2noun (2)
1
: an unpleasant experience (such as a bad reaction to a hallucinogenic drug)
2
: failure, flop
Synonyms
Noun (1)
- down
- downer
Noun (2)
- bindle stiff
- bum
- hobo
- sundowner [Australian]
- swaggie [chiefly Australian]
- swagman [chiefly Australian]
- tramp
- vagabond
- vagrant
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Word History
Etymology
Noun (1)
probably modification of German Bummler loafer, from bummeln to dangle, loaf
Noun (2)
bum entry 2 + -er entry 2
First Known Use
Noun (1)
1855, in the meaning defined above
Noun (2)
1966, in the meaning defined at sense 1
bummers 1 of 2
noun (1)
1
as in downers
something (as a situation or event) that is depressing boy, breaking your leg right before vacation is a bummer Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- downers
- downs
- tragedies
- bores
- accidents
- catastrophes
- woes
- misfortunes
- mishaps
- fatalities
- calamities
- debacles
- drags
- débâcles
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- trips
- uppers
- pick-me-ups
2
as in disappointments
something that disappoints the cancellation of the holiday office party was a total bummer Synonyms & Similar Words
- disappointments
- letdowns
- losers
- fiascoes
- failures
- bringdowns
- lemons
- anticlimaxes
- fizzles
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- successes
- winners
- reliefs
3
as in disasters
something that has failed that new start-up company proved to be a real bummer Synonyms & Similar Words
- disasters
- disappointments
- failures
- losers
- catastrophes
- washouts
- busts
- fiascoes
- bombs
- duds
- debacles
- shipwrecks
- misses
- clunkers
- flops
- clinkers
- lemons
- messes
- frosts
- débâcles
- turkeys
- fizzles
- dogs
- near misses
- has-beens
- shambles
- botches
- also-rans
- hashes
- muddles
- nonevents
- nonstarters
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- successes
- winners
- hits
- blockbusters
- phenomena
- dandies
- phenomenons
- corkers
- smashes
- crackerjacks
- crackajacks
- jim-dandies
bummers
2 of 2noun (2)
as in hobos
a homeless wanderer who may beg or steal for a living a lifelong bummer, he never knew the satisfaction of having to work for a living Synonyms & Similar Words
- hobos
- beggars
- hoboes
- bums
- tramps
- vagrants
- vagabonds
- transients
- swagmen
- derelicts
- sundowners
- swaggies
- drifters
- dodgers
- mendicants
- roamers
- slackers
- shirkers
- bindle stiffs
- panhandlers
- waifs
- ragamuffins
- urchins
- stiffs
- malingerers
- gamines
