Quick answer
Bogey means a source of fear or worry; also a score of one over par in golf. It is usually pronounced BOH-gee, and today it is mostly used in stylized, literary, or playful contexts.
Word page
Bogey
Bogey means a source of fear or worry; also a score of one over par in golf. It belongs to magical, mythic, and mysterious words and works best in fantasy writing, mythic atmosphere, and language with ceremonial or uncanny flavor. You are more likely to meet it in literary, humorous, or deliberately stylized writing than in everyday speech.
At a glance
magicmythicmysterious
How to say it
Meaning in plain English
In plain English, bogey refers to a source of fear or worry; also a score of one over par in golf. It is most useful when a plain label would tell the truth but miss the tone, flavor, or comic edge.
Why this word feels absurd
Bogey feels absurd because it has more texture than the plain alternative, giving the idea an extra bit of theatrical, comic, or overbuilt energy.
Origin and history
Bogey is generally traced to english, related to bogie and older words for a frightening figure. In modern use, the history matters less than the strong tone the word still carries.
Is this word still used today?
Bogey is rare today and mostly appears in literary, humorous, historical, or deliberately stylized contexts. That rarity is part of the fun: it sounds chosen rather than automatic.
Example sentences
- Inflation became the bogey of the election campaign.
- He made a bogey on the final hole and still won.
- The article warns against treating immigration as a convenient bogey.
- Some words live two complete lives, and bogey is one of them.
When should you use this word?
Use bogey when you want a more vivid, characterful choice than the plain everyday alternative. It works especially well in fantasy writing, mythic atmosphere, and language with ceremonial or uncanny flavor.
Similar words
Bogie, Threat, Specter, Bugbear
Opposite or contrasting words
Reassurance, Par, Security
Common questions
- What does bogey mean? a source of fear or worry; also a score of one over par in golf.
- How do you pronounce bogey? It is commonly pronounced BOH-gee.
- Is bogey still used today? Bogey is rare today and mostly appears in literary, humorous, historical, or deliberately stylized contexts. That rarity is part of the fun: it sounds chosen rather than automatic.
- When should you use bogey? Use bogey when you want a more vivid, characterful choice than the plain everyday alternative. It works especially well in fantasy writing, mythic atmosphere, and language with ceremonial or uncanny flavor.
- What words are similar to bogey? Similar words include Bogie, Threat, Specter, and Bugbear.
Editorial note
Edited by Absurd Words. Last updated: May 9, 2026. See the editorial policy for how definitions, examples, labels, and update checks are handled on the site.