Bogeyman/ˈbəʊɡimæn/ Definition 1 of 4Pro Tip 1/2Childhood Fear Used to make children behave, implies an irrational or unfounded fear. Stop misbehaving, or the bogeyman will come! Pro Tip 2/2Not Real Emphasize that 'bogeyman' is imaginary, to alleviate fear in a child. There's no need to be scared; the bogeyman isn't real.