rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryphobiaExtreme fear
noun

phobia

FOH-bee-uh/ˈfəʊbiə/

An extreme or irrational fear or aversion to something.

The woman's phobia makes her recoil intensely from the tiny harmless spider.

Adult woman recoils intensely from a tiny harmless spider far across the room, chair raised hands and anxious expression, noncomic compassion, no words.
Etymology
phobiaGreekflight; fear, terror

Greek phobos shifted from “flight” to “fear” through the idea of panic-stricken escape. Phobia became a standalone word from fear-denoting compounds, later specializing in abnormal or irrational fear.

In context

Sharda psychiatric clinic0:12
a phobia is an intense irrational fear of a specific object situation or activity it goes beyond ordinary fears and can cause significant distress and interference in daily life
Understanding Phobia | Symptoms | Treatment

More examples

  • Her phobia of needles makes blood tests especially difficult.
  • A therapist helps him manage his phobia of dogs.
  • Some phobias interfere with everyday activities like driving or shopping.

Forms

phobia · phobias

phobic adjective — Having an extreme or irrational fear.

Similar words

fear
A broader term that includes ordinary, reasonable responses to danger.
terror
Emphasizes overwhelming fear, not necessarily a persistent fear of something.