Definition

A frightening imaginary creature often used to scare children into behaving.

Example

Parents sometimes tell their kids about the bogeyman to encourage them to go to bed on time.

Conversation

Do you remember when we were kids and everyone was scared of the bogeyman?

Yeah, I think every kid had that fear at some point.

I wonder if kids still believe in the bogeyman these days.

Probably! It’s such a classic way to scare them into behaving.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Bogeyman originates from the Middle English 'bogge' (meaning a frightening creature) and 'man' (meaning a male human). The term refers to a mythical creature used to frighten children, often depicted as a male figure.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'frightening creature' ('bogge') that is a 'man' — that's why the bogeyman is a scary figure used to frighten children.

Visually Confused Words