noun
Uncommon
phobia
FOH-bee-uh
Phobia (noun) means an intense, often irrational fear of a specific thing or situation. Example: “His phobia of heights kept him off the roof terrace.”
noun
1
An intense, often irrational fear of a specific thing or situation.
"His phobia of heights kept him off the roof terrace."
"She has developed a phobia of flying after a rough flight last year."
How to use phobia
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA strong, often unreasonable fear of something specific, like spiders, heights, or flying.
Common mistake
A phobia is more intense and irrational than an ordinary dislike or nervousness — don't use it loosely for mild preferences.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
fear of
develop a phobia
overcome a phobia
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Word forms
- Plural
- phobias, phobiae, phobiæ
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
His _____ of heights kept him off the roof terrace.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek phobos, "fear," first used as an independent word around 1790 after appearing in compound words like "hydrophobia."
Synonyms
View more →
phobic disorder
phobic neurosis
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for phobia
See all rhymes for phobia →Frequently asked questions
What does “phobia” mean?
The word “phobia” means an intense, often irrational fear of a specific thing or situation. In plain terms, a strong, often unreasonable fear of something specific, like spiders, heights, or flying.
How do you pronounce “phobia”?
“Phobia” is pronounced FOH-bee-uh (/ˈfoʊ.bi.ə/ in IPA).
How do you use “phobia” in a sentence?
Here is “phobia” used in a sentence: “His phobia of heights kept him off the roof terrace.”
What part of speech is “phobia”?
“Phobia” is a noun.
Where does the word “phobia” come from?
The word “phobia” dates back to around 1790 and comes from Ancient Greek. From Ancient Greek phobos, "fear," first used as an independent word around 1790 after appearing in compound words like "hydrophobia.".
Is “phobia” a common word?
“Phobia” is an uncommon word in modern English.
