bummer

USAGE SUMMARY

'bummer' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an informal slang word that can be used to express disappointment about something. For example: "What a bummer, I was hoping to get the job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Against San Jose the heartbreak of that stoppage time equalizer was a bummer, but a larger concern were the injury issues and concerns that came out of that match.

The Guardian - Sport

So it stands to reason that, when on the road, he likes to stay in people's houses: "I travel 75% of the time, and it's kind of a bummer to always be in a hotel".

The Guardian - Travel

As I have noted in the past, the law of demand is a bummer.

The Economist

Mr Samuel is justifiably proud of his success, though he admits the early mornings are a bummer.

The Economist

Here you go:As someone that enjoys a drink as much or more than the next guy (and is also frugalish), the fluids rules for flying were a huge bummer for me because it was my practice for morning flights to build myself a nice big bloody mary in a disposable bottle for consumption as I passed my way through the security apparatus and inevitable downtime before the flight.

The Economist

So yeah, it became a bit of a bummer from there, I think that incident was where I felt it was time to leave Metal Hammer".

Independent

Never use cruise control because there's no bigger bummer than crashing your car mid-fuck.

Independent

For those of us who occasionally strive to defend heritage-minded, guitar based indie rock from critics who would gleefully dance on its graves, Jake Bugg is a real bummer.

Independent

She acknowledges that "we had to suit the place we were making the film" – in this case, dusty Rajasthan rather than blowy Wessex.k "The weather was a bit of a bummer – it was really hot.

Independent

Or as an angry young black man put it: "Obama is a bummer".

Independent

Dianne Garrett from The Wrap has warned viewers to prepare hankies for an "unabashed tearjerker" but promises that while The Fault in Our Stars is "glossy Hollywood sad", it manages to be "cathartic without being too much of a bummer".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bummer" in informal contexts to express mild disappointment or regret. It's suitable for casual conversations and writing where a relaxed tone is desired.

Common error

Avoid using "bummer" in formal writing or professional communication. Opt for more appropriate alternatives like "unfortunate", "disappointing", or "regrettable" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary function of "bummer" is to serve as an interjection expressing disappointment or dismay. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is commonly used in informal contexts to convey a sense of regret or that something is undesirable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bummer" is a common and correct interjection used to express disappointment or regret, suitable for informal contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's important to avoid using "bummer" in formal settings and to consider alternatives such as "unfortunate" or "disappointing" when a more professional tone is required. While "bummer" is predominantly found in News & Media, its informality makes it a versatile expression for casual communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that sucks

Informal slang expressing strong dislike or disappointment, similar to "bummer" in its informality.

that's a pity

Expresses sorrow or regret about something, similar to "bummer" but slightly more formal.

that's a shame

Indicates disappointment or disapproval, akin to "bummer" but with a touch more emphasis.

that's a downer

Highlights the depressing or disheartening aspect of something, similar to "bummer" in its negativity.

what a letdown

Highlights the feeling of being disappointed after expecting something better, similar to "bummer".

that's disappointing

States the feeling of disappointment directly, comparable to "bummer" but more descriptive.

that's too bad

Indicates regret about an unfortunate situation, akin to "bummer" but slightly milder.

that's rough

Indicates sympathy for a difficult situation, sharing the sentiment of "bummer" but more empathetic.

how unfortunate

Expresses regret over a negative event, sharing the sentiment of "bummer" but more formal.

what a drag

Expresses boredom or annoyance, similar to "bummer" in conveying a negative feeling.

FAQs

How can I use "bummer" in a sentence?

"Bummer" is typically used as an interjection to express disappointment. For example, "That's a "bummer", I was really looking forward to that concert."

What's a more formal alternative to "bummer"?

In formal contexts, you can use alternatives like "unfortunate", "disappointing", or "regrettable" instead of "bummer".

Is "bummer" appropriate for professional communication?

No, "bummer" is generally not appropriate for professional communication. It is considered informal slang and should be avoided in business or academic settings.

What's the difference between "bummer" and "that sucks"?

While both express disappointment, "that sucks" is a stronger, more negative expression than ""bummer"". "That sucks" implies a greater degree of displeasure or frustration.