bugbear
ˈbʌɡˌbɛr
Definition Synonyms

Definition of bugbear - Reverso English Dictionary

Noun

1.
problemRareUKongoing problem or recurring obstacleRareUK
  • Traffic is a major bugbear for commuters.
hindrance impediment obstacle
2.
emotionRaresource of dread or irritationRare
  • His lateness is a constant bugbear for the team.
annoyance irritant nuisance
3.
mythologyDatedimaginary monster to frighten childrenDated
  • Parents told tales of a bugbear lurking in the woods.
bogeyman phantom
Add a suggestion |

Origin of bugbear

Middle English, bugge (hobgoblin) + bera (bear)

Examples of bugbear in a sentence

  • A bugbear in the project was the unreliable internet connection.
  • Traffic jams are a major bugbear for commuters.
  • His snoring is a nightly bugbear for his wife.
  • Children feared the bugbear under their beds.
  • Legends spoke of a bugbear haunting the village.

View all translations of bugbear

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:casse-tête, bête noire, ...
  2. German:Ärgernis, Buhmann, ...
  3. Italian:problema, fastidio, ...
  4. Spanish:problema, molestia, ...
  5. Portuguese:empecilho, aborrecimento, ...
  6. Chinese:难题, 心病, ...
  7. Japanese:悩みの種, 厄介者, ...
  8. Arabic:مُعَضِلَة, هَاجِس مُزْعِج, ...
  9. Hebrew:מִטְרָד, מָקוֹר לְפַחַד, ...
  10. Russian:головная боль, бука, ...
  11. Ukrainian:головний біль, джерело роздратування, ...
  12. Hindi:समस्या, परेशानी, ...
Browse the dictionary entries starting with “b”:

Discover how Reverso redefines the dictionary

Go beyond “simple words”

Get more than a simple definition

Go from understanding to mastery