aerophobia

American  

[air-uh-foh-bee-uh] / ˌɛər əˈfoʊ bi ə /

noun

Psychiatry.

1. aviophobia.

2. a fear of or pathological sensitivity to drafts of air, gases, or airborne matter.

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aerophobia British  

/ ˌɛərəˈfəʊbɪə /

noun

1. a pathological fear of draughts of air

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Other Word Forms

• aerophobic adjective

Etymology

Origin of aerophobia

First recorded in 1765–75; aero- + -phobia

Example Sentences

Mel’s also broke, has an aversion to commitment, and in a relatable and metaphorical twist, is gripped by aerophobia.

From Salon • Sep. 27, 2024

I was 9 years old and already suffering from a raging case of aerophobia.

From Salon • Dec. 16, 2012

Staggered by the recession, constant fare fights and a global epidemic of aerophobia growing out of last year's Persian Gulf conflict, U.S. airlines have lost more than $6 billion since 1990.

From Time Magazine Archive

At times his language on what he called aerophobia grew highly animated.

From Benjamin Franklin; Self-Revealed, Volume II (of 2) A Biographical and Critical Study Based Mainly on his own Writings by Bruce, Wiliam Cabell

Nothing is more likely to produce immediate and fatal aerophobia than the sickening sight from the air of a crash, yellow wings flattened out against the green ground a thousand feet below.

From Opportunities in Aviation by Sweetser, Arthur