adj
C1
Advanced
claustrophobic
Claustrophobic (adj) means suffering from, or prone to, an intense fear of enclosed spaces. Example: “He felt claustrophobic the moment the MRI tube closed around him.”
adj
1
Suffering from, or prone to, an intense fear of enclosed spaces.
"He felt claustrophobic the moment the MRI tube closed around him."
2
Describing a space that feels uncomfortably cramped or confining.
"The basement flat had a low ceiling and felt claustrophobic."
"The elevator was small and claustrophobic, barely fitting four people."
How to use claustrophobic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither "afraid of tight spaces" (a person) or "uncomfortably tight and enclosed" (a place).
Common pairings
a claustrophobic room
feel claustrophobic
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Word forms
- Plural
- claustrophobics
- Comparative
- more claustrophobic
- Superlative
- most claustrophobic
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He felt _____ the moment the MRI tube closed around him.
Etymology
Formed from claustrophobia plus the suffix -ic.
Rhymes for claustrophobic
See all rhymes for claustrophobic →Frequently asked questions
What does “claustrophobic” mean?
The word “claustrophobic” means suffering from, or prone to, an intense fear of enclosed spaces. In plain terms, either "afraid of tight spaces" (a person) or "uncomfortably tight and enclosed" (a place).
How do you use “claustrophobic” in a sentence?
Here is “claustrophobic” used in a sentence: “He felt claustrophobic the moment the MRI tube closed around him.”
What part of speech is “claustrophobic”?
“Claustrophobic” is an adjective.
How many meanings does “claustrophobic” have?
“Claustrophobic” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: suffering from, or prone to, an intense fear of enclosed spaces.
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