bugbear

[ buhg-bair ]

noun

1. any source, real or imaginary, of needless fright or fear.
2. a persistent problem or source of annoyance.
3. Folklore. a goblin that eats up naughty children.

bugbear

/ ˈbʌɡˌbɛə /

noun

1. a thing that causes obsessive fear or anxiety
2. (in English folklore) a goblin said to eat naughty children and thought to be in the form of a bear

Word History and Origins

Origin of bugbear¹

First recorded in 1570–80; bug ² + bear ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of bugbear¹

C16: from bug ² + bear ²; compare bugaboo

Example Sentences

The former president spent much of his speech at Madison Square Garden on Sunday railing against a now familiar bugbear: supposed "enemies from within" the United States.

From Salon

With roughly half of the UK's households flying once a year, how people behave on planes is an ongoing bugbear.

From BBC

"A lack of innovation seems to be a key bugbear and activists are putting pressure on the company to come up with some new ideas to drive up user numbers."

From BBC

Quad bikes, a particular bugbear for many communities across West Yorkshire in recent years, are raised frequently as an issue.

From BBC

The government has also considerably eased up the bureaucracy, which has been a major bugbear of India's economy for decades.

From BBC