Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
boogeyman
noun
ˈbuːɡiˌmæn
Definition
A legendary creature or imaginary being that is often used to frighten children.
Examples
- “Don’t go into the dark; the boogeyman might be there!”
- “Parents sometimes tell their kids about the boogeyman to encourage them to stay in bed at night.”
- “She always checked under her bed for the boogeyman before going to sleep.”
Meaning
The boogeyman is typically depicted as a monster or ghost that exists in the dark and is used as a threat to encourage children to behave. It embodies the fears that arise from the imagination, often taking different forms in various cultures.
Synonyms
- monster
- ghost
- scarecrow
- nightmare
