acrophobia

[ ak-ruh-foh-bee-uh ]

/ ˌæk rəˈfoʊ bi ə /

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noun Psychiatry.

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.

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Also called al·to·pho·bi·a

[al-tuh-foh-bee-uh] /ˌæl təˈfoʊ bi ə/ .

Origin of acrophobia

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

OTHER WORDS FROM acrophobia

ac·ro·pho·bic, adjective, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

British Dictionary definitions for acrophobia

acrophobia

/ (ˌækrəˈfəʊbɪə) /

noun

abnormal fear or dread of being at a great height

Derived forms of acrophobia

acrophobic, adjective, noun

Word Origin for acrophobia

C19: from acro- + -phobia

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

Cultural definitions for acrophobia

acrophobia

[ (ak-ruh-foh-bee-uh) ]

An abnormal fear of heights.