boogeyman

American

[boog-ee-man, boo-gee-] / ˈbʊg iˌmæn, ˈbu gi- /

noun

plural

boogeymen

bogeyman.

Etymology

Origin of boogeyman

First recorded in 1840–50

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.

Artificial intelligence could be the boogeyman that gnaws at market share.

From Barron's • Feb. 4, 2026

And it would give the Bills another chance to really get over their boogeyman.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 3, 2025

Craig said the characters’ frequent misinterpretations took on the role of the “monster,” since this is a horror movie without a true boogeyman.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2025

"I wasn't satisfied with just imagining this evil boogeyman who had done a horrible thing to me," she explained.

From Salon • Apr. 14, 2025

I am the boogeyman parents use to get their children to behave.

From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023