Bogy - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
A bogy is an imaginary creature or ghost used to frighten children. It can also refer to a source of fear, anxiety, or an obstacle that causes worry or difficulty.
Definition:
A source of fear, anxiety, or difficulty; an imaginary evil spirit or goblin.
Synonyms:
phantom, specter, hobgoblin, bugbear
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
comfort, reassurance
Common Collocations:
bogy man, bogy in the closet, bogy stories
Derivatives:
bogies (plural), bogeyman (variant)
Usage Tips:
Use "bogy" to describe a feared but often imaginary threat or obstacle in a figurative sense.
Common Phrases:
bogy man, the bogy of failure, chasing bogies
Etymology:
Derived from "bogey," possibly from Middle English "bugge," meaning a frightening specter or goblin.
Examples:
- 1. The child feared the bogy hiding under his bed at night.
- 2. She dismissed his worries as mere bogies of an overactive imagination.
- 3. The old legend spoke of a forest bogy that scared travelers away.
- 4. His fear of public speaking was just a mental bogy he needed to overcome.