closet monster
Imagined nighttime terror
A closet monster is an imaginary creature that children fear lurks in their bedroom closet, waiting to emerge in the dark.
The term captures a universal childhood fear—the conviction that something menacing hides just behind that door.
By extension, closet monster can describe any irrational fear that feels real in vulnerable moments: His anxiety about failure was just a closet monster he'd carried since grade school.
- boogeymanFrightening figure for children
- nightmareFrightening dream causing wakefulness
- shadowLight blocked by object
- dark cornerShadowed, secluded spot
- darknessTotal absence of light
bedroom · childhood · fear · hiding · hiding place · door · creaking · glowing eyes · eyes · teeth · claws · under the bed · imagination · scary stories · night · terror · lurking · creature
- mythical creaturesdragon, dragons, vampire, vampires, werewolf
- childhood loretooth fairy, Santa Claus, Easter Bunny, boogeyman, imaginary friend
- childhood mythstooth fairy, Santa Claus, Easter Bunny, boogeyman, Sandman
- Bedtime CharactersSandman, boogeyman, counting sheep, dream guide, dream weaver
- bogeymenbogeyman, bugaboo, bugbear, Krampus, Baba Yaga
closet monsterguardian angel
Protective spirit assigned individually
imaginary friend · teddy bear · security blanket · fairy godmother · night light
closet, monster, close, closed, closing, closets, closeted, monsters, monstrous