bugbear

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bugbear

/ˈbʌɡ.bɛə(ɹ)/ UK
/ˈbʌɡ.bɛː(ɹ)/ UK
/ˈbʌɡ.bɛɚ/ US

Where it comes from

From obsolete meaning of bug (“something terrifying”) + bear. See Middle English bugge, modern bogey.

noun bugbears · bug-bear

An ongoing problem; a recurring obstacle or adversity. Stone ballast is now used throughout the main line, and has the additional advantage of eliminating the previous bugbear of dust.
Similar: pet peeve
A source of dread; resentment; or irritation. What has this Bugbear Death to frighten Man, If Souls can die, as well as Bodies can?
Similar: anathema, antipathy, bête noire
A generic creature, often described as a large goblin, meant to inspire fear in children. Ha, ha: alas poore wretch: a poore Chipochia, haſt not ſlept to night? would he not (a naughty man) let it ſleepe: a bug-beare take him.
Similar: bogeyman, bogey, bug-a-boo, bugaboo

verb bugbears · bugbearing · bugbeared · bug-bear

transitive To alarm with idle phantoms.

Translations

Every language

noun imaginary creature

中文	熊蜂 xióngfēng
Deutsch	Schrat
Italiano	babau
Ελληνικά	μπαμπούλας bampoúlas

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MLA

"bugbear." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/bugbear. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

APA

bugbear. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/bugbear

Chicago

"bugbear." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/bugbear.

BibTeX

@misc{bugbear_2026,
  title = {bugbear},
  howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://micwyn.com/word/bugbear},
  urldate = {2026-11-06}
}