acrophobia

[ ak-ruh-foh-bee-uh ]

noun

, Psychiatry.

1. an irrational or disproportionate fear of heights:

   I knew my acrophobia would keep me off of the competitive diving platforms, but I was surprised when walking the diving board three feet above the pool deck also terrified me.

acrophobia

/ ˌækrəˈfəʊbɪə /

noun

1. abnormal fear or dread of being at a great height

acrophobia

1. An abnormal fear of heights.

Derived Forms

• ˌacroˈphobic, adjectivenoun

Other Words From

• ac·ro·pho·bic adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of acrophobia¹

First recorded in 1890–95; acro-, -phobia

Word History and Origins

Origin of acrophobia¹

C19: from acro- + -phobia

Example Sentences

Contemporary society has gifted us with a phobia potentially as strong as acrophobia or the fear of flying: smartphone anxiety.

From The Daily Beast

Probably the commonest is acrophobia, so that the detailed consideration of it shows the indications for other dreads.

From Project Gutenberg