logophobia

American  

[law-guh-foh-bee-uh, log-uh-] / ˌlɔ gəˈfoʊ bi ə, ˌlɒg ə- /

noun

1. an irrational or disproportionate fear of words.

   Children with learning disorders or logophobia may still cultivate a love for books with graphic novels, comics, or picture books.

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Other Word Forms

• logophobic adjective

Etymology

Origin of logophobia

First recorded in 1920–25; logo- + -phobia

Explanation

Someone with logophobia has such a strong fear of words that it greatly limits everyday life. There may be certain words they can't bear to hear or read, or they may avoid conversation or reading altogether because of anxiety about these activities. Logophobia is made from the combining forms logo, meaning "word," and phobia, meaning "fear." Both come from Greek. Some people with logophobia, whose fear is triggered by specific words, associate them with horrible experiences from their past. Others feel extremely anxious about speaking with others in case they say or understand words incorrectly, so they avoid conversation. And some avoid any written words because they haven’t learned to read, and feel very anxious when confronted with that fact. Logophobic is the adjective describing someone with logophobia.