# bugbear

/ˈbʌɡˌbɛɹ/ (US) · /bˈʌɡbeə/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bugbear
Updated: 2026-10-11

## Definition

something that people find very annoying or that they worry about a lot. It is often a small problem that someone talks about frequently.

For teachers: a persistent source of irritation, obsession, or fear. Often refers to a minor but recurring grievance that an individual finds particularly vexing.

## Examples

- Grammar mistakes are his biggest bugbear.
- The lack of reliable public transport remains a major bugbear for residents living in the outer suburbs.
- While the CEO focused on global expansion, the staff's primary bugbear was the outdated software that hindered their daily productivity.

## Synonyms

irritation, nuisance, annoyance, bugaboo

## Antonyms

delight, pleasure

## Usage notes

- Often used with possessives like 'my' or 'his' to indicate a personal grievance.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.