phobic

1 of 2

adjective

pho·​bic ˈfō-bik 

: of, relating to, affected with, or constituting phobia

phobic noun

-phobic

2 of 2

adjective combining form

1

a

: having an intolerance or aversion for

photophobic

Anglophobic

b

: exhibiting a phobia for

claustrophobic

2

: lacking chemical affinity for (see affinity entry 1 sense 2b(2))

These polymers are like soaps, with a hydrophobic and a hydrophilic portion in the molecule.

—Mercouri G. Kanatzidis

compare -philic

Examples of phobic in a Sentence

Adjective

She is phobic about heights.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Some research suggests that being exposed to another person's phobic response can teach you to internalize that fear, as well.2 Not all people who develop somniphobia have risk factors for a phobia. —Sherri Gordon, Health, 7 Dec. 2024

Conway is mousy, phobic of plane travel, and loves her parents and her cat, a Scottish Fold named Alfie. —Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 13 Feb. 2024

Together, the two wrote and illustrated a book that helped the bug phobic deal with the Brood X cicada emergence 17 years ago, and that now, as the red-eyed creatures prepare to make another grand appearance, is landing in the hands of the newly anxious. —Washington Post, 28 Apr. 2021

At a time when many filmmakers are paranoically spoiler-phobic, director Daniel Goldhaber doesn’t mind if audiences know the outcome of his new movie going in. —Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Adjective combining form

French -phobique, from Late Latin -phobicus, from Greek -phobikos, from -phobia

First Known Use

Adjective

1897, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

phobic

1 of 2 adjective

pho·​bic ˈfō-bik 

: of, relating to, affected with, marked by, involving, or constituting a phobia

phobic disorders

a phobic person

phobic anxiety

phobic situations

phobic

2 of 2 noun

: one who exhibits a phobia