pyrophobia

American  

[pahy-ruh-foh-bee-uh] / ˌpaɪ rəˈfoʊ bi ə /

noun

Psychiatry.

1. an irrational or disproportionate fear of fire.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• pyrophobic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of pyrophobia

First recorded in 1885–90; pyro- + -phobia

Explanation

Do you tremble nervously when someone suggests toasting marshmallows over a campfire? Or beg your mom not to light the candles on your birthday cake? If you're afraid of flames, you might have pyrophobia: an extreme fear of fire. Most of us are careful not to leave lit candles near the curtains or toss matches around the backyard, but if you have an irrational fear of fire, you've got pyrophobia. In some cases, pyrophobia results from a childhood accident with fire, but sometimes the cause isn't so clear. Someone with pyrophobia might feel dizzy, sweaty, or sick at the sight of flames. The Greek roots of the words are pyro, "fire," and phobos, "fear."