arachnophobia

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

noun

Psychiatry.

1. an irrational or disproportionate fear of spiders.

arachnophobia

/ əˌræknəˈfəʊbɪə /

noun

1. an abnormal fear of spiders

Other Word Forms

• arachnophobe noun
• arachnophobic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of arachnophobia¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of arachnophobia¹

C20: from Greek arakhnē spider + _-phobia

Example Sentences

If you suffer from arachnophobia, this is the time of year when you’re most likely to run into one of your worst nightmares: a tarantula.

From Los Angeles Times

One example is a new setting that allows players with severe arachnophobia to remove the eight-legged creatures - which feature heavily in the world - from the game.

From BBC

In less time than it takes to say “arachnophobia,” it will escape, reproduce like a bandit and send its deadly progeny scampering into every unsealed nook and cranny.

From New York Times

How is spider misinformation related to the prevalence of arachnophobia?

From New York Times

Having a fear of spiders is something many people can relate to, but is there a way to combat arachnophobia?

From BBC