agoraphobia

[ ag-er-uh-foh-bee-uh, uh-gawr‐ ]

noun

, Psychiatry.

1. an irrational or disproportionate fear of being in crowds, public places, or open areas, often accompanied by anxiety attacks: In extreme cases, avoidance behaviors may render affected individuals homebound. Compare ochlophobia ( def ).

agoraphobia

/ ˌæɡərəˈfəʊbɪə /

noun

1. a pathological fear of being in public places, often resulting in the sufferer becoming housebound

Derived Forms

• ˌagoraˈphobic, adjectivenoun

Other Words From

• ag·o·ra·pho·bic adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of agoraphobia¹

First recorded in 1870–75; agora ¹ + -phobia

Example Sentences

It talks about her agoraphobia and her diabetes, as well as her recent court testimony, all without judgment or venom.

From The Daily Beast

I put down her immunity to agoraphobia as just another evidence that she was already mad.

From Project Gutenberg

Whistling, he began to stroll down the hall toward the staircase, but midway agoraphobia overcame him, and his nerve broke.

From Project Gutenberg

Agoraphobia, for instance, is the fear of crossing an open place.

From Project Gutenberg

Glare-blindness, gravity-legs, and agoraphobia were excuses for a lot of things, when a man was just back from Big Bottomless.

From Project Gutenberg

The sufferer from agoraphobia cannot bring himself to cross alone an open field or square.

From Project Gutenberg