bugaboo

Noun
US[buhg-uh-boo]/ˈbʌɡəˌbu/3 syllables
Synonyms: bogeymanbugbearboogeymanbooger

Open English WordNet

Noun (2)

  1. an imaginary monster used to frighten childrenSynonyms: bogeymanbugbearboogeymanboogerType of monster
  2. a source of concern“the old bugaboo of inflation still bothers them”Type of concern, worry
Word of the day · Nov 2About this word
perniciousadjective

What does it mean? Question 1 of today’s quiz

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Webster's Dictionary (1913)

Bug′a·boo′ (…), Bug′bear′ (…), noun

Origin: See Bug.

Something frightful, as a specter; anything imaginary that causes needless fright; something used to excite needless fear; also, something really dangerous, or an imaginary monster, used to frighten children, etc. “Bugaboos to fright ye.” Robert Lloyd

But, to the world no bugbear is so great As want of figure and a small estate.— Alexander Pope
The bugaboo of the liberals is the church pray.— Solomon B. Griffin
The great bugaboo of the birds is the owl.— John Burroughs

2. a source of concern; as, the old bugaboo of inflation still bothers them.

Synonyms: Hobgoblin; goblin; specter; ogre; scarecrow; bogeyman; boogeyman; booger.

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54 · with additions: WordNet 1.5

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