claustrophobic

adjective

claus·​tro·​pho·​bic ˌklȯ-strə-ˈfō-bik 

1

: affected with or inclined to claustrophobia

2

: inducing or suggesting claustrophobia

claustrophobically

ˌklȯ-strə-ˈfō-bi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of claustrophobic in a Sentence

The theater can be a little claustrophobic when it's full.

She doesn't go in elevators because she is claustrophobic.

Recent Examples on the Web

Against that, Colossal’s three dire wolves spending their entire lives in a 2,000-acre preserve could be awfully lonely and claustrophobic—not at all the way wild dire wolves would live their lives. —Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 7 Apr. 2025

Add a claustrophobic mask, a straw-like snorkel, fins that can weigh you down, plus waves and strong currents, can lead to a casual activity quickly turning into a high-intensity workout. —Jen Murphy, Outside Online, 2 Apr. 2025

The first two episodes concretely define the claustrophobic space and allow the two women to settle firmly into their archetypes. —Holly Jones, Variety, 10 Feb. 2025

The house is claustrophobic, containing one body at peak physique and the other at near-deterioration. —Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1889, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for claustrophobic

• anaerobic
• homophobic
• hydrophobic
• aerobic
• phobic

Medical Definition

claustrophobic

1 of 2 adjective

claus·​tro·​pho·​bic ˌklȯ-strə-ˈfō-bik 

1

: suffering from or inclined to claustrophobia

2

: inducing or suggesting claustrophobia

claustrophobically

-bi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

claustrophobic

2 of 2 noun

: claustrophobe