phobia

1 of 2

noun

pho·​bia ˈfō-bē-ə 

: an exaggerated usually inexplicable and illogical fear of a particular object, class of objects, or situation

-phobia

2 of 2

noun combining form

1

: exaggerated fear of

acrophobia

2

: intolerance or aversion for

photophobia

Examples of phobia in a Sentence

Noun

His fear of crowds eventually developed into a phobia.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In the military Hackman served as a DJ and newscaster for his unit’s radio station, despite a phobia about microphones. —Carmel Dagan, Variety, 27 Feb. 2025

Maybe your motive was to overcome a particular phobia, say, or heal from a really bad breakup. —Jenna Ryu, SELF, 11 Feb. 2025

In one study, 27 percent of hospital employees reported avoiding the flu vaccine because of their phobia. —Emily Matchar, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Jan. 2025

This phobia can be addressed with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy guided by a professional. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

-phobia

Noun combining form

New Latin, from Late Latin, from Greek, from -phobos fearing, from phobos fear, flight, from phebesthai to flee; akin to Lithuanian bėgti to flee, Old Church Slavic běžati

First Known Use

Noun

1786, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for phobia

• agoraphobia
• claustrophobia
• homophobia
• hydrophobia
• photophobia
• xenophobia
• rhizobia
• phobia

Kids Definition

phobia

noun

pho·​bia ˈfō-bē-ə 

: an unreasonable, abnormal, and lasting fear of something

Medical Definition

phobia

noun

pho·​bia ˈfō-bē-ə 

: an exaggerated and often disabling fear usually inexplicable to the subject and having sometimes a logical but usually an illogical or symbolic object, class of objects, or situation compare compulsion, obsession