Meanings
nounbum note (plural bum notes)
plural bum notes
- derogatoryslangentertainmentA note that is played incorrectly.
- derogatoryfigurativelyslangA social or conversational mistake; an awkward or inappropriate action.
'I'm going for a pint.' Declan paused on the way out. 'You really think Ethan's that good? There could be money in it?' He realised he had struck a bum note.
2013, Alan Gibbons, Raining Fire
Synonyms & antonyms
Cite this entry
APA
bum note. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/bum%20note
MLA
“bum note.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/bum%20note. Accessed November 2, 2026.
Chicago
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “bum note,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/bum%20note.
Source: bum note on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.