bogeyman


bo·gey·man

noun
\ˈb-gē-ˌman, ˈbō-, ˈbü-, ˈb-gər-\

Definition of BOGEYMAN

1
: a monstrous imaginary figure used in threatening children
2
: a terrifying or dreaded person or thing : bugbear

Variants of BOGEYMAN

bo·gey·man also bo·gy·man \ˈb-gē-ˌman, ˈbō-, ˈbü-, ˈb-gər-\

Examples of BOGEYMAN

  1. My aunt used to say to my sister and me, The bogeyman will get you if you're bad.
  2. a politician who is the familiar bogeyman of conservatives

First Known Use of BOGEYMAN

1890

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