Boogeyman Meaning in English
word
ˈbʊɡimæn
BUH-gee-man
bˈuːɡɪmən
BOO-gee-muhn
Definition
A fictional monster that is said to scare children, often used by parents to make them behave. In general, it can also refer to any imagined threat or source of fear.
Usage & Nuances
Most common in American English, mainly for young children. Can also symbolize a vague or exaggerated threat in politics or news. Variants: 'bogeyman', 'bugaboo'. Used jokingly to describe fears that aren't real.
Spanish: el coco - el hombre del sacoPortuguese (BR): bicho-papãoPortuguese (PT): bicho-papãoChinese (Simplified): 恶魔 - 妖怪 - 怪物Chinese (Traditional): 惡魔 - 妖怪 - 怪物Hindi: भूत (डरावना प्राणी) - बोगीमैनArabic: الغول - بعبعBengali: ভুত - ভূত-প্রেত (শিশুদের ভয় দেখানোর জন্য)Russian: бабайка - бука - страшилище (для детей)Japanese: おばけ - ばけもの (子どもを怖がらせる存在)Vietnamese: ông kẹ - ma quỷ (dọa trẻ em)Korean: 도깨비 - 무서운 존재 (아이들을 겁주는)Turkish: öcü - karabasan (çocukları korkutmak için)Urdu: بھُوت - ڈراؤنا جن (بچوں کو ڈرانے کے لیے)Indonesian: hantu - makhluk menakutkan (untuk menakut-nakuti anak-anak)
Example Sentences
The boogeyman hides under the bed at night.
basic
She told her son the boogeyman would come if he didn't sleep.
basic
Many kids are afraid of the boogeyman.
basic
Don't worry, the boogeyman isn't real.
natural
In politics, they used the boogeyman to scare people into voting.
natural
My little brother thinks the closet is a boogeyman's home.
natural