bogeyman
|bo-gey-man|
🇺🇸
/ˈboʊɡiˌmæn/
🇬🇧
/ˈbəʊɡiˌmæn/
frightening imaginary figure
Etymology
'bogeyman' originates from English, specifically from 'bogey' + 'man', where 'bogey' meant a frightening being such as a ghost or goblin.
'bogeyman' changed from Middle English 'bugge' (meaning a frightening creature) to the later English form 'bogey' and then was combined with 'man' to form 'bogeyman' in Modern English.
Initially it referred to a frightening supernatural creature; over time it came to denote both the imaginary figure used to frighten children and, figuratively, any feared or blamed person or thing.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an imaginary frightening creature or specter used by adults to frighten children into good behaviour.
Parents told the children there was no bogeyman hiding in the closet.
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Noun 2
a person, thing, or idea that is used as a frightening or hated symbol; a scapegoat or recurring source of worry or blame.
For decades the company used regulation as a bogeyman to justify price increases.
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Last updated: 2025/11/01 19:35