bogy: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2 (Low frequency, somewhat literary/technical)Formal/Literary for the spectral meaning; Technical/Specialist (railways, golf) for other meanings.
Quick answer
What does “bogy” mean?
An imaginary evil spirit or goblin, especially one that causes fear or anxiety.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An imaginary evil spirit or goblin, especially one that causes fear or anxiety; a hobgoblin; also, something that causes worry or fear (a bogey).
In British railway terminology, a bogie (US: truck) is a pivoting undercarriage for railway vehicles. In golf, a score of one over par on a hole. More generally, a source of fear or anxiety, often imaginary.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
UK: 'Bogie' is the standard spelling for the railway component. 'Bogey' or 'bogy' for the spectral meaning/golf. US: 'Bogey' is dominant for the spectral meaning/golf; 'truck' is used for the railway component, not 'bogie'.
Connotations
In UK English, 'bogey man' is the common phrase for a scary imaginary figure used to frighten children. In US English, 'boogeyman' is more common. Both carry a slightly old-fashioned, folkloric tone.
Frequency
The spectral meaning is low-frequency in both varieties, more likely found in literature or older texts. The golf term is moderately frequent in sports contexts. The railway term is highly specific.
Grammar
How to Use “bogy” in a Sentence
The bogy of [noun phrase] haunted him.Don't be scared of the bogy.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except metaphorically: 'The bogy of rising interest rates looms over the market.'
Academic
Used in folklore studies or historical texts discussing superstition.
Everyday
Mostly in the phrase 'bogey/bogy man' to children. Otherwise rare.
Technical
Specific to railway engineering (UK: 'bogie') and golf ('bogey').
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bogy”
- Misspelling as 'bogey', 'bogie' without understanding the context.
- Using it in modern conversation where 'monster', 'ghost', or 'fear' would be more natural.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Essentially yes for the 'evil spirit' and 'golf score' meanings. 'Bogey' is the more common modern spelling for these, especially in US English. 'Bogy' is a variant.
In UK English, it's a pivoting framework carrying the wheels, essential for guiding the train around curves. The US equivalent term is 'truck'.
No, the word is a noun. Related words like 'bogey' in golf can be used as a verb ('He bogeyed the 18th hole').
A 'bogy man' is specifically an amorphous, often unnamed, scary figure used to frighten children into good behaviour. A ghost is typically the spirit of a specific dead person.
An imaginary evil spirit or goblin, especially one that causes fear or anxiety.
Bogy is usually formal/literary for the spectral meaning; technical/specialist (railways, golf) for other meanings. in register.
Bogy: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbəʊɡi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈboʊɡi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The bogy man will get you!”
- “A bogy of inflation.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a ghost saying 'Boo!' and then 'gee!' – 'boo-gee' sounds like 'bogy'.
Conceptual Metaphor
FEAR IS A MONSTER / ANXIETY IS A PURSUING ENTITY.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the spelling 'bogie' most likely correct in UK English?