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Definition of bogeyman

bogeyman

/ˈboʊɡimæn/
bo · gey · man
Plural:bogeymen
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bogeyman Lexical Profile

bogeyman Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

An imaginary evil spirit or monster invoked in folklore to frighten children into good behavior.

Example

"As a child, he always checked under his bed to make sure the bogeyman was not hiding in the shadows."

2

A person, group, or concept that is widely feared, dreaded, or held up as an exaggerated threat.

Example

"Inflation has become the primary bogeyman for central bankers trying to stabilize the economy."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for bogeyman

Word Nuance & Usage

Spelled "bogeyman" primarily in British English and "boogeyman" or "bogyman" in American English, though all variants are widely understood.

• Nearby Words

bogachiel
bogart
bogey
bogeyman
boggle
boggy
bogie

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the 19th century as a compound of "bogey" (an evil spirit or goblin, likely related to Middle English "bugge" meaning frightening specter) and "man".

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Bogeyman. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/bogeyman
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