bugbear
/ˈbʌɡ.bɛɚ/
Word Rarity
Very rare
Frequency: 2.18 in modern English
12
Scrabble Score
7
Letters
2
Syllables
6
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A source of dread; resentment; or irritation.
Example Sentences
- "Stone ballast is now used throughout the main line, and has the additional advantage of eliminating the previous bugbear of dust."
- "Level crossings are the bugbear of railway operation at Hull. There are no fewer than 16 within the city boundary."
- "Next, they operate in constrained worlds. Apple is a particular bugbear for Mr Zuckerberg and Mr Sweeney."
- "What has this Bugbear Death to frighten Man, If Souls can die, as well as Bodies can?"
- "But, to the world no bugbear is so great As want of figure and a small estate."
- "What have I done to be made a bugbear of, and to be shunned and dreaded as if I brought the plague?"
Etymology
From obsolete meaning of bug (“something terrifying”) + bear. See Middle English bugge, modern bogey.
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈbʌɡ.bɛɚ/
- British English: /ˈbʌɡ.bɛə(ɹ)/