cabin fever

American  

noun

1. a state characterized by anxiety, restlessness, and boredom, arising from a prolonged stay in a remote or confined place.

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cabin fever British  

noun

1. acute depression resulting from being isolated or sharing cramped quarters in the wilderness, esp during the long northern winter

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cabin fever Idioms  

1. Distress or anxiety caused by prolonged confinement in a small or remote place, as in We've been snowed in for a week and everyone has cabin fever. Originating in the West, this term at first alluded to being penned up in a remote cabin during a long winter but has since been applied more broadly. [Late 1800s]

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Etymology

Origin of cabin fever

An Americanism dating back to 1915–20

Example Sentences

And while I still believe that enjoying this season’s most prized produce items — raw and uncooked — is a great way to beat cabin fever, that doesn’t diminish the importance of indulgent, comfort meals.

From Salon • Feb. 20, 2026

Loneliness is endemic to their lives, and Luna, an ebullient personality, seems to be suffering from acute cabin fever.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 5, 2025

The Staves: 'Bon Iver gave us cabin fever'

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2024

They fought cabin fever with chess and sports and parties and song.

From New York Times • Nov. 29, 2022

Square footage-wise, it feels smaller than our kitchen and dining area at home, so I’m guessing cabin fever is going to come on fast and strong.

From "Internment" by Samira Ahmed