phobia

n. countable

B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈfoʊbiə// UK //fˈəʊbiɐ// pho·bia

n. an extreme or unreasonable fear of a specific thing or situation. It is much stronger than a normal fear and can make you feel very anxious.

n. an irrational, intense, and persistent fear of a specific object, activity, or situation. Often results in a compelling desire to avoid the dreaded stimulus.

SIMPLE

His phobia of spiders makes him avoid the garden.

CONTEXTUAL

Many people suffer from a phobia of flying, even though they know that air travel is statistically very safe.

COMPLEX

While a mild dislike of heights is common, a true phobia can be debilitating, causing physical symptoms like sweating and a rapid heartbeat at the mere thought of an ascent.

Origin

First attested in c. 1790, from words ending in -phobia, ultimately from Ancient Greek φόβος (phóbos, “fear”). Compare ism, from -ism, itis, from -itis, and ana, from -ana.

Usage

Often followed by the preposition 'of' to indicate the object of fear.