bogey
1 Americannoun
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bogeys
plural
verb (used without object)
verb (used with or without object)
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bogeys
plural
noun
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an evil or mischievous spirit
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something that worries or annoys
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golf
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a score of one stroke over par on a hole Compare par
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obsolete a standard score for a hole or course, regarded as one that a good player should make
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slang a piece of dried mucus discharged from the nose
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slang air force an unidentified or hostile aircraft
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slang a detective; policeman
verb
verb
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of bogey1
First recorded in 1890–95; spelling variant of bogy 2
Origin of bogey2
First recorded in 1845–50; from Dharuk, equivalent to bū- “bathe” + -gi past tense marker
Origin of bogey3
First recorded in 1985–90; in reference to Bogey or Bogie , nickname of Humphrey Bogart
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.
See Examples For:
However, Song birdied No. 15 and Phillips three-putted for bogey as the two headed to 16 tied at two-under.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 6, 2026
Fleetwood conceded an over-zealous approach on the ninth - which bounded through the baked green and led to a bogey - was a "terrible mistake".
From BBC ● Jul. 19, 2026
He was the only player in the field to avoid a bogey in the fourth round.
From BBC ● Jul. 12, 2026
“I was just feeling like the hole was so big today,” said Talley, who has gone 22 consecutive holes without a bogey.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 6, 2026
He was just some sort of bogey that lived in bad dreams and the dark corners of imagination.
From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques
“On 16 I had an eight-footer for par that lipped out and she parred, so now all of a sudden I’m down one,” said Phillips, who finished with three birdies, an eagle and four bogeys.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 6, 2026
She lipped out for birdie on the sixth and seventh before a lengthy par save on the 15th prevented back-to-back bogeys.
From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2026
He still might finally do that on Sunday, but his hopes were set back on Saturday by a couple of late bogeys in a third-round 69.
From BBC ● Jul. 18, 2026
McIlroy endured a rollercoaster first round at Royal Birkdale which included six bogeys and four birdies in his two-over round of 72.
From BBC ● Jul. 16, 2026
Harry rather thought some bogeys landed on the potatoes, and was inwardly thankful that they were not staying for dinner.
From "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling
McIlroy double-bogeyed the fourth hole and bogeyed the sixth.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 13, 2026
Penge missed the fairway at No. 2, took a one-stroke penalty and bogeyed, while Bridgeman parred to take sole possession of the lead.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 21, 2026
It was in stark contrast to Lee's finish Saturday, when the 27-year-old had bogeyed the final two holes and dramatically tossed his ball into the Pacific Ocean in frustration.
From Barron's ● Feb. 15, 2026
Li did likewise on 17 to get to 11 under but then bogeyed the last.
From BBC ● Jul. 19, 2025
The Californian, who started the round one shot off leader Sam Burns, bogeyed five of his first six holes to seemingly drop out of contention.
From BBC ● Jun. 15, 2025
After bogeying the first hole, Phillips birdied the second, eagled the third and birdied the fourth to vault to the top of the leaderboard.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 6, 2025
Bradley had looked out of contention when he fell a shot back by bogeying the par-four 14th.
From BBC ● Jun. 22, 2025
As for Spaun, he showed admirable composure throughout his round, including an outstanding par putt from 25 feet on the final hole when he seemed to be faltering, after bogeying the 17th.
From BBC ● Mar. 15, 2025
After bogeying three of the last six holes on the front nine, she played a four-hole stretch on the back nine in 4 under.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 27, 2024
“So I told my caddie that’s the least mad I’m ever going to be bogeying the last three.”
From Washington Times ● Jun. 1, 2023
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