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

Even entomologists themselves can fall prey to arachnophobia.

From No Straight News

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

From The Daily Beast