Dictionary

boogeyman en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /ˈbʊɡiˌmæn/ (US)
• /ˈbuɡiˌmæn/ (US)

Etymology

By alteration from bogeyman.

Meanings

1. (alt-of, alternative) Alternative form of bogeyman.
   alt of bogeyman
   • It’s not just that Trump’s voters are articulating the same ideas. They’re framing issues in the same way, pointing to the same boogeymen and even using the same words. 2018 October 24, Jeremy Diamond, “Trump’s secret weapon: Legions of supporters spreading his message”, in CNN, archived from the original on 12 May 2019:
   • Hillary Clinton hasn’t hit the campaign trail yet on behalf of Democrats running in 2018, but that isn’t stopping Republicans from using the former 2016 Democratic presidential nominee as a reliable campaign boogeyman. 2018 March 30, Eric Bradner, “Hillary Clinton re-emerges as GOP’s reliable boogeyman”, in CNN, archived from the original on 24 Jun 2019:
   • [Screams .] Bogeyman! You nail the windows shut. I'll get the gun. [ Grunts .] Bart, I don't want to alarm you but there may be a bogeyman or bogeymen in the house. 2009 May 11, “$pringfield (Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Legalized Gambling)”, in The Simpsons, season 5, episode 10, spoken by Homer Simpson (Dan Castellaneta), via Fox:
   • “It’s easier to sort of attribute these deaths to a boogeyman serial killer as opposed to confronting the real possible reasons that these deaths are happening,” she said, pointing to mental health, substance abuse and housing issues. 2025 October 27, Dalia Faheid, “Bodies keep being recovered from the bayous around Houston. Why officials are convinced it’s not the work of a serial killer”, in CNN, archived from the original on 28 Oct 2025:
   • Mears was cast as the iconic boogeyman Jason Voorhees in the new "Friday the 13th" movie. 2009 February 12, Brittany Kaplan, “New Jason unmasked for 'Friday the 13th'”, in CNN, archived from the original on 19 Apr 2023:

Forms