arachnophobia

American  

[uh-rak-nuh-foh-bee-uh] / əˌræk nəˈfoʊ bi ə /

noun

Psychiatry.

1. an irrational or disproportionate fear of spiders.

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arachnophobia British  

/ əˌræknəˈfəʊbɪə /

noun

1. an abnormal fear of spiders

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Other Word Forms

• arachnophobe noun
• arachnophobic adjective

Etymology

Origin of arachnophobia

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

Example Sentences

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

Less than 4 percent of humans suffer from arachnophobia, but general unease is much more common.

From New York Times

In the film, Dr. Ross Jennings suffers from arachnophobia but ultimately saves his town from a deadly spider infestation.

From Salon

Negri said he began raising spiders to overcome arachnophobia, and now has 60.

From Seattle Times