noun
hydrophobia
high-druh-FOH-bee-uh/ˌhaɪdrəˈfəʊbiə/
Extreme or irrational fear of water.
Her hydrophobia makes even a shallow swimming pool feel frightening.
Etymology
The water and fear components describe dread of water. The word was used for the aversion to water and difficulty swallowing it shown by human rabies sufferers.
In context
The disease then progresses towards more debilitating symptoms, such as hyperactivity, aggression, and a fear of water or hydrophobia.
More examples
- His hydrophobia keeps him from joining us at the lake.
- She tells her therapist that her hydrophobia began in childhood.
- For someone with hydrophobia, stepping into water can feel overwhelming.
Forms
hydrophobia
hydrophobic adjective — Having an extreme fear of water.
Similar words
- aquaphobia
- Specifically denotes fear of water, without the rabies meaning.