bum
4 synonyms and 0 antonyms for bum, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — British informal term for the buttocks.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use bum
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Informal throughout; "bum" as a noun for a homeless person is now considered dated and can be seen as disrespectful.
Etymology
Recorded since the 1300s as Middle English "bom"; its ultimate origin is uncertain, though some link it to imitative (sound-based) coinage.
Full origin of bum →Frequently asked questions
Why is calling someone a "bum" considered offensive?
Using "bum" to mean a homeless person or a lazy, useless person is dated and often offensive, since it stereotypes people experiencing homelessness or unemployment negatively. Modern usage generally avoids this sense in favor of more respectful and accurate terms.
What does it mean to "bum" something off someone?
As a verb, "to bum" something means to ask for or obtain it for free in an informal, often mildly imposing way, such as "bumming a cigarette" from a friend. It suggests casual borrowing or freeloading rather than a formal request.