bugaboo

noun

bug·​a·​boo ˈbə-gə-ˌbü 

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

Synonyms of bugaboo

• dread
• terror
• bugbear
• plague
• bogey

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

Getting stops should be Denver’s biggest bugaboo without Gordon and Braun. —Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 23 Nov. 2025

That’s been a bugaboo at times throughout McDaniels’ career, but his confidence and results do not appear to be an aberration. —Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 18 Nov. 2025

Jackson tore his Achilles tendon last November, so that’s the big bugaboo. —Stan Son, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025

James went down a lengthy list of bugaboos that hurt the Chargers, including but not limited to 14 penalties totaling 107 yards, the Giants’ 7-for-15 efficiency on third downs, a lackluster start that featured deficits of 10-0 and 13-3 in the first half and a failure to force a New York turnover. —Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 28 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

earlier buggybow, bugger-bo, of unknown origin

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for bugaboo

• amadou
• avenue
• ballyhoo
• baraboo
• barbecue
• barbeque
• cabildo
• caribou
• cockatoo
• detinue
• devalue
• donohue

Kids Definition

bugaboo

noun

bug·​a·​boo ˈbəg-ə-ˌbü 

plural bugaboos

: bugbear sense 2, bogey