bogeyman
Americannoun
plural
bogeymennoun
Etymology
Origin of bogeyman
First recorded in 1885–90; bogey 1 (variant of bogy 1, in the sense “a hobgoblin, evil spirit”) + man
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The third holds that we’ve come a long way in ridding ourselves of racism—particularly of the institutional kind—but stops short of declaring the bogeyman dead.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 2, 2026
This particular European bogeyman dates back to 2014, when the U.S. and the European Union were negotiating a trans-Atlantic trade agreement.
From Slate • Feb. 13, 2026
Opponents of Proposition 50 have their own bogeyman.
From Barron's • Nov. 4, 2025
Los Angeles has always been a magnet for those seeking fame, even if that means serving as a bogeyman for opportunistic pundits.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 19, 2024
“Now, now, sweetie,” Pa said to Miss Hendrix, the same way he told Fern, “Now, now baby girl. Ain’t no bogeyman in the radiator pipe.”
From "P.S. Be Eleven" by Rita Williams-Garcia
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.