bugbear meaning

UK US

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

bugbear has 2 meanings in this dictionary.

bugbear as a noun

  1. an imaginary monster used to frighten children

    Synonyms: bogeyman, bugaboo, boogeyman, booger

    Type of: monster

  2. an object of dread or apprehension
    • Germany was always a bugbear for France
    • A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds

    Synonyms: hobgoblin

    Type of: object

bugbear in a sentence

Scrabble score: 12 (letter breakdown)

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

More about bugbear on Wikipedia.