adjective / verb
bum
Impaired or in unsatisfactory condition.
A bum knee keeps her off the tennis court.
Etymology
Bum developed from bummer. The unfavorable description of a person extended to things or body parts in poor condition.
More examples
- The canceled trip really bummed him out.
- They sold us a bum radio that never worked.
- I felt bummed after missing the concert.
Forms
bum · bums · bummed · bumming
Similar words
- faulty
- A neutral term for not working properly, without bum's informal tone.