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bum

bum

142 7.2
A lazy person who others dislike for not working
  • noun
  • /bʌm/
  • Offensive
translation icon : vago
  • They called him a bum because he never held down a job.

And, you know, Paulie starts calling him a bum.

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Examples

  • The white stubble on his jutting chin made him look like a bum, shocking me.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Stay away from that bum.

  • And my own wife still thinks I'm a bum.

  • He's been a bum for two years now.

  • You're no bum yourself, pal.

  • The forms are many in which bums like us can seek relief from laziness.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • The park was rather empty, just a couple of bums and teenagers playing hooky.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • He's just a bum who sits on the couch all day and does nothing.

  • After quitting his job, he became a bum, relying on others for support.

Synonyms

slacker
vsbum
  • Offensive
33 4.6

A person who avoids work and often does very little

is closer but also implies the person is contemptible
good-for-nothing
vsbum
  • Offensive
16 7.1

A person who is lazy and does nothing useful

shares contempt but specifically labels lack of worth
slug
vsbum
  • Offensive
12 7.0

A person who is lazy and does not want to work

carries the same slowness but with greater contempt implied
do-nothing
vsbum
  • Offensive
9 7.0

A person who avoids work and makes little effort

is the same lack of effort but framed as contemptible
schlub
vsbum
  • Offensive
8 9.9

A person who is lazy, messy, and a little socially awkward

focuses more on moral contempt than on untidiness
loafer
vsbum
  • Offensive
5 5.8

A person who avoids work and does very little

is similar but also highlights social contempt toward the person
ne'er-do-well
vsbum
  • Offensive
5 9.9

A person who is lazy, irresponsible, and does not try to succeed

is narrower, focusing on contempt tied to laziness specifically
layabout
vsbum
  • Offensive
4 7.6

A person who often avoids work and does very little

adds a negative judgement, implying the person is contemptible
idler
vsbum
  • Offensive
2 7.0

A person who avoids work and does very little

is the same but often seen as contemptible or blameworthy
goof-off
vsbum
  • Informal
2 8.6

A person who avoids work and wastes time

is similar but carries stronger social disapproval
scut
vsbum
  • Offensive
2 9.9

A lazy person who does not help with work

matches the derisive tone but may be harsher in insult
sluggard
vsbum
  • Offensive
1 9.9

A person who often avoids work and is lazy

includes that habit but stresses being looked down on
lounger
vsbum
1 5.8

A person who often rests and does very little

is more contemptuous, not just relaxed idleness
bludger
vsbum
  • Offensive
1 9.9

A person who avoids work and does very little

is the more insulting view that the person is contemptible
lazybones
vsbum
  • Offensive
1 7.2

A person who avoids work and prefers to rest

is more contemptuous and less playful in tone
drag-ass
vsbum
  • Offensive
1 9.9

A person who is lazy and slow to do things

centers more on active contempt rather than lack of energy
no-good slacker
vsbum
  • Offensive
8.4

A person who is very lazy and not responsible

overlaps but the key can be less extreme in blame

Antonyms

33 1.3

A person who puts a lot of effort into their job or tasks

Idioms

a bum steer
  • Archaic
1 9.4

Bad advice or directions that make you go the wrong way

to act like a bum
  • Offensive
8.6

To behave lazily and avoid work or responsibility

to feel like a bum
  • Offensive
8.6

To feel lazy and useless because you failed or did nothing

Compounds

bum rap
  • Informal
8 9.1

Unfair blame or punishment for something you did not do

1 9.9

A close friend you do many things with

bum steer
  • Informal
1 9.8

Wrong advice that leads you to make a mistake

bum wine
  • Offensive
1 9.9

Cheap wine that often tastes bad and is bought by people with little money

bum head
  • Offensive
9.9

A person who behaves in a silly or careless way

9.9

A person, often a company leader, who gets government money they do not deserve

front bum
  • Offensive
9.9

The outer private parts of a girl or woman

9.9

A rude word for a person who gets government money and is seen as not trying to work

How Lazy

slacker
  • Offensive
33 4.6
bum
  • Offensive
142 7.2
loafer
  • Offensive
5 5.8
idler
  • Offensive
2 7.0
lazybones
  • Offensive
1 7.2

Surface Forms

bum singular
bums plural

Etymology

Bum for a lazy or contemptible person likely comes from an older slang word like the German bummler (a 'loafer'), and that is why calling someone a 'bum' means they are lazy or unreliable.