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Webster 1913 Edition

Bugbear

{

Bugˊa-boo′

,

Bug′bearˊ

}
,
Noun.
[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.”
Lloyd.
But, to the world no
bugbear
is so great
As want of figure and a small estate.
Pope.
The
bugaboo
of the liberals is the church pray.
S. B. Griffin.
The great
bugaboo
of the birds is the owl.
J. Burroughs.
Syn. – Hobgoblin; goblin; specter; ogre; scarecrow; bogeyman; boogeyman; booger.

Bug′bearˊ

,
Noun.
Same as
Bugaboo
.
–
Adj.
Causing needless fright.
Locke.

Bug′bearˊ

,
Verb.
T.
To alarm with idle phantoms.

Webster 1828 Edition

Bugbear

BUG'BEAR

,
Verb.
T.
To alarm or frighten with idle phantoms.

Definition 2024

bugbear

bugbear

See also: bug-bear

English

Alternative forms

Noun

bugbear ‎(plural bugbears)

  1. An ongoing problem; a recurring obstacle or adversity.
  2. A source of dread; resentment; or irritation.
    • Alexander Pope, Epistle I of the First Book of Horace; to Lord Bolingbroke
      But, to the world no bugbear is so great
      As want of figure and a small estate.
    • 1841, Dickens, The Old Curiosity Shop, chapter 3
      What have I done to be made a bugbear of, and to be shunned and dreaded as if I brought the plague?
  3. An imaginary creature meant to inspire fear in children.
    • 1900, Carl Schurz, For Truth, Justice and Liberty
      The partisans of the Administration object to the word “imperialism,” calling it a mere bugbear having no real existence.

Synonyms

  • (hostile supernatural creature): See goblin

Translations

See also

Verb

bugbear ‎(third-person singular simple present bugbears, present participle bugbearing, simple past and past participle bugbeared)

  1. (transitive) To alarm with idle phantoms.

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