Bugaboo Meaning in English
word
ˈbəɡəˌbu
BUH-guh-boo
ˈbʌɡəˌbuː
BUH-guh-boo
Definition
A bugaboo is something that causes fear or worry, often without good reason. It can also mean a made-up or imaginary source of dread.
Usage & Nuances
"Bugaboo" is slightly old-fashioned or literary in tone. Often used about irrational fears, childhood scares, or issues that people worry about more than necessary. Not common in everyday conversation.
Spanish: coco (fantasma) - temor irracionalPortuguese (BR): bicho-papão - medo irracionalPortuguese (PT): bicho-papão - medo irracionalChinese (Simplified): 令人害怕的东西 - 妄想的恐惧Chinese (Traditional): 令人害怕的東西 - 妄想的恐懼Hindi: काल्पनिक डर - डरावनी चीजArabic: بعبع - خوف وهميBengali: ভূত - অযৌক্তিক ভয়Russian: пугало - страшилкаJapanese: おばけ - 怖いものVietnamese: bóng ma - nỗi sợ không rõ lý doKorean: 도깨비 - 괴물 - 이유 없는 두려움Turkish: korkuluk - hayali korkuUrdu: چڑیل - بلا - غیر حقیقی خوفIndonesian: momok - ketakutan tanpa alasan jelas
Example Sentences
Children sometimes think a bugaboo lives under the bed.
basic
The dark used to be my biggest bugaboo when I was little.
basic
For some people, public speaking is a real bugaboo.
basic
Don't let that old bugaboo stop you from trying something new.
natural
For years, inflation has been a political bugaboo in this country.
natural
My little brother’s latest bugaboo is monsters in the closet.
natural