noun
ailurophobia
ai-lyoor-uh-FOH-bee-uh
Ailurophobia (noun) means an extreme or irrational dread of cats and other feline animals. Example: “His ailurophobia means he crosses the road rather than pass a cat.”
noun
1
technical An extreme or irrational dread of cats and other feline animals.
"His ailurophobia means he crosses the road rather than pass a cat."
"Ailurophobia can make everyday visits to friends with pets stressful."
"She began therapy to help manage her ailurophobia."
How to use ailurophobia
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA strong, irrational fear of cats.
When to use it
A clinical-sounding term, more at home in psychology writing than casual conversation.
Memory tip
The 'ailuro-' part comes from the Greek word for cat, so the term applies only to cats and other felines.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
ailurophilia
Common pairings
suffers from ailurophobia
mild ailurophobia
severe ailurophobia
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Fill the gap
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His _____ means he crosses the road rather than pass a cat.
Etymology
First recorded in 1905, the word combines ailuro-, meaning cat, with -phobia, meaning fear or hatred. Both elements come from Ancient Greek.
Synonyms
View more →
felinophobia
gatophobia
Antonyms
ailurophilia
Rhymes for ailurophobia
See all rhymes for ailurophobia →Frequently asked questions
What is ailurophobia?
It describes an intense, unreasonable dread of cats, extending to feline animals more broadly.
What causes ailurophobia?
As with other phobias, it is generally understood as an exaggerated or irrational fear rather than a reasoned response, though the definition itself does not specify a cause.
Is ailurophobia the same as simply disliking cats?
Not quite. The term specifically describes an irrational fear or hatred, going beyond an ordinary preference for other animals.
What is the meaning of ailurophobia?
"ailurophobia" (noun) means an extreme or irrational dread of cats and other feline animals.
