1 B2 idiomatic informal
To make someone feel sad, disappointed, or low in spirits.
"Hearing that the concert was cancelled really bummed me out."
separable
bum out
B2 informal separable transitive/intransitive
To make someone feel sad, disappointed, or depressed (North American informal).
In plain English
To make someone feel really sad or disappointed.
What does "bum out" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic informal
To feel sad or depressed (used reflexively or in passive/adjectival form).
"She was totally bummed out after failing her driving test for the third time."
separable
Usage tip
Chiefly North American. Common in casual speech among younger speakers. Can be used transitively ('it bummed me out') or intransitively ('I'm bummed out'). 'Bummed out' as an adjective is also very common.
Words that pair with "bum out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
news really totally completely me everyone
How to conjugate "bum out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
bum out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
bums out
he/she/it
Past simple
bumed out
yesterday
Past participle
bumed out
have + pp
-ing form
buming out
continuous
Hear "bum out" in the wild
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