bugaboo

noun

bug·​a·​boo ˈbə-gə-ˌbü How to pronounce bugaboo (audio)
plural bugaboos
1
: an imaginary object of fear
2
: bugbear sense 2
also : something that causes fear or distress out of proportion to its importance

Examples of bugaboo in a Sentence

politicians complaining about that old bugaboo, high oil prices doing one's tax returns is a real bugaboo for a lot of people
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But this week, his irons are dialed, and suddenly the golfer most famous for his short game bugaboo is in the top five almost entirely because of his incredible saves around the green. Brody Miller, New York Times, 15 June 2025 Of course, his biggest bugaboo has been his Strokes Gained: Around the Green. Kendall Capps, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 June 2025 Hispanic 2025-26 Upfront: Digital Expansion Plans & WBTV Hispanic Stream Launch Debt has been the company’s bugaboo since Discovery acquired Warner Media three years ago. Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 20 May 2025 Range anxiety, the bugaboo of all-electric driving, is even more frightening for all-electric flying, where running out of power has worse consequences than having to pull over to the side of the road. IEEE Spectrum, 9 June 2017 See All Example Sentences for bugaboo

Word History

Etymology

earlier buggybow, bugger-bo, of unknown origin

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bugaboo was in 1598

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bugaboo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bugaboo. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

bugaboo

noun
bug·​a·​boo ˈbəg-ə-ˌbü How to pronounce bugaboo (audio)
plural bugaboos

More from Merriam-Webster on bugaboo

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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