noun
bogeyman
BOH-gee-man/ˈbəʊɡimæn/
An imagined threatening creature used to frighten children.
The child imagines a shadowy bogeyman lurking near the bedroom closet.
Etymology
Bogey supplies the haunting specter, while man gives that fear a personal figure. The compound names the imaginary being invoked to frighten children.
In context
snip snap just like that Harry fell into the bogeyman's trap
More examples
- The story's bogeyman vanishes when the light comes on.
- The campaign presents the rival party as a political bogeyman.
- Parents sometimes use imaginary bogeymen to discourage wandering.
Forms
bogeyman · bogeymen
Similar words
- boogeyman
- An alternative American spelling for the same frightening figure.
- scapegoat
- Receives blame rather than simply being portrayed as a threat.