bugbear
UK /ˈbʌɡ.bɛə(ɹ)/ · US /ˈbʌɡ.bɛɚ/ noun, verb
Forms bugbears bugbearing bugbeared bug-bear
- noun An ongoing problem; a recurring obstacle or adversity.
- noun A source of dread; resentment; or irritation.
- noun (folklore, fantasy) A generic creature, often described as a large goblin, meant to inspire fear in children.
- verb (transitive) To alarm with idle phantoms.
Synonyms
pet peeve anathema antipathy bête noire bogeyman bogey bug-a-boo bugaboo boogeyman booger hobgoblin
Etymology
From obsolete meaning of bug (“something terrifying”) + bear. See Middle English bugge, modern bogey.
Webster’s 1913
- noun Something frightful, as a specter; anything imaginary that causes needless fright; something used to excite needless fear; also, something really dangerous, used to frighten children, etc. "Bugaboos to fright ye." Lloyd.
- noun Same as Bugaboo.
- noun Causing needless fright. Locke.
- verb To alarm with idle phantoms.
Etymology [See Bug.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “bugbear”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details