bugaboo meaning

UK US /ˈbʌɡəbu/ 3 syllables

bugaboo (noun): an imaginary monster used to frighten children.

bugaboo has 2 meanings in this dictionary.

bugaboo as a noun

  1. an imaginary monster used to frighten children

    Synonyms: bogeyman, bugbear, boogeyman, booger

    Type of: monster

  2. a source of concern
    • the old bugaboo of inflation still bothers them

    Type of: concern

How to pronounce bugaboo

bugaboo is pronounced /ˈbʌɡəbu/ in American English. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.

Word lists: words starting with BU · words ending in OO · 7-letter words

More about bugaboo on Wikipedia.