photophobia

[ foh-tuh-foh-bee-uh ]

/ ˌfoʊ təˈfoʊ bi ə /

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noun

Pathology. a painful sensitivity to or extreme intolerance of bright light, as in iritis.

an irrational or disproportionate fear of light.

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Origin of photophobia

First recorded in 1790–1800; photo- + -phobia

OTHER WORDS FROM photophobia

pho·to·pho·bic, adjective, noun

Words nearby photophobia

photopathy, photoperiod, photoperiodism, photophilic, photophilous, photophobia, photophobic, photophore, photophosphorylation, photopia, photoplay

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use photophobia in a sentence

Entropion affecting the lower lid appears also as the result of extreme photophobia (intolerance to light).
The New Gresham Encyclopedia|Various
Redness of the eye and lachrymation are very common; true photophobia uncommon.
Neuralgia and the Diseases that Resemble it|Francis E. Anstie
Pupil normal, conjunctiva moderately congested, lachrymation profuse, photophobia partial.
Neuralgia and the Diseases that Resemble it|Francis E. Anstie
As a rule, however, the eyes are somewhat suffused, and there is slight lachrymation and photophobia.
A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I|Various

In some cases there was photophobia, and he has also found paralysis of accommodation and conjunctivitis.
Studies in the Psychology of Sex, Volume 1 (of 6)|Havelock Ellis

British Dictionary definitions for photophobia

photophobia

/ (ˌfəʊtəʊˈfəʊbɪə) /

noun

pathol abnormal sensitivity of the eyes to light, esp as the result of inflammation

psychiatry abnormal fear of or aversion to sunlight or well-lit places

Derived forms of photophobia

photophobic, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012