arachnophobia

[ uh-rak-nuh-foh-bee-uh ]

nounPsychiatry.
  1. an irrational or disproportionate fear of spiders.

Origin of arachnophobia

1
First recorded in 1925–30; from Greek aráchn(ē) “spider” + -o- + -phobia

Other words from arachnophobia

  • a·rach·no·phobe, noun
  • a·rach·no·pho·bic, adjective, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for arachnophobia

arachnophobia

/ (əˌræknəˈfəʊbɪə) /


noun
  1. an abnormal fear of spiders

Origin of arachnophobia

1
C20: from Greek arakhnē spider + -phobia

Derived forms of arachnophobia

  • arachnophobic, adjective, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012