Something frightful, as a specter; anything imaginary that causes needless fright; something used to excite needless fear; also, something really dangerous, or an imaginary monster, used to frighten children, etc.

a source of concern; as, the old bugaboo of inflation still bothers them.

Same as Bugaboo.

Causing needless fright.

A terrifying bear apparition that eats children.

an object of dread or apprehension; "Germany was always a bugbear for France"; "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds"--Ralph Waldo Emerson

a legendary creature roughly analogous with the bogeyman , bogie , bugaboo, hobgoblin and other creatures used to frighten children

an imaginary hobgoblin or terror used to frighten children into good conduct

In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, a bugbear is a massive humanoid distantly related to goblins and hobgoblins. Named for the bugbear of legend, the bugbears of Dungeons & Dragons are goblinoid creatures, larger and stronger than hobgoblins. They speak Goblin.