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

Derived Forms

• aˌrachnoˈphobic, adjectivenoun

Other Words From

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

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

Arachnophobia is an irrational fear of spiders and claustrophobia is an irrational fear of small places.

From The Daily Beast