A bugbear is something that annoys or worries someone a lot. It can also mean a problem that keeps coming back and is hard to deal with.
People use bugbear in everyday English when they want to talk about a common frustration. For example, a slow internet connection, a messy room, or a repeated mistake can be called a bugbear if it really bothers someone.
Meaning & Usage
In modern English, bugbear usually means an annoying issue or a source of worry. It is often used in a slightly formal or old-fashioned way, but people still understand it easily.
Examples
“Loud noise is my biggest bugbear.”
“One bugbear of working from home is constant distractions.”
“Traffic jams are a bugbear for many commuters.”
Is “bugbear” a negative word?
Yes. It usually refers to something unpleasant, annoying, or troublesome.
Do people use “bugbear” in daily conversation?
Yes, but not very often. It sounds natural, but a little formal compared with words like “annoyance” or “pet peeve.”
Can “bugbear” mean fear?
Yes, in older English it could mean something scary or a cause of fear, but today it usually means an annoyance or problem.
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