noun

bogeyman

BOH-gih-man

noun

An imaginary monster used to frighten children into good behavior.

"Parents warned that the bogeyman would come if they didn't go to sleep."

Any exaggerated threat used to frighten or manipulate people.

"Politicians often invoke a foreign bogeyman to rally support."

How to Use Bogeyman

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA scary made-up figure used to frighten children, or more broadly, an exaggerated threat used to scare people.

Common pairings

scary bogeyman political bogeyman

bogeymen plural

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Parents warned that the _____ would come if they didn't go to sleep.

From bogey plus the suffix -man.

Lyman layman Cayman handyman everyman ferryman candyman clergyman countryman highwayman assemblyman