bum
Translation
tramp, loafer, bottom
Examples
A bum asked me for money on the street.
A tramp asked me for money on the street.
Can I bum a cigarette off you?
Can I scrounge a cigarette off you?
He gave me a bum steer and I got lost.
He gave me a duff steer and I got lost.
Grammar Patterns
((as a noun)) a tramp, a loafer A bum asked me for money.
((to bum sth. off sb.)) to scrounge (sth.) from (sb.) Can I bum a cigarette off you?
((as an adjective)) bad, of poor quality He gave me a bum steer.
Similar Words
Synonyms: tramp, vagrant, loafer; Antonyms: worker, professional
Etymology
Possibly from German 'Bummler' (loafer, idler). The meaning 'buttocks' is a separate development.
Memory Tips
Note the difference: in US English, 'bum' is a homeless person or loafer. In UK English, it primarily means 'bottom' or 'buttocks'.