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specific phobia

American

[spi-sif-ik foh-bee-uh] / spɪˈsɪf ɪk ˈfoʊ bi ə /

noun

Psychiatry.

an intense, persistent, irrational fear of a specific object, activity, situation, or person that leads to avoidance behavior so pronounced as to disrupt daily life: the term specific phobia, as opposed to the nontechnical word phobia, is the official diagnostic name for this mental disorder.

Etymology

Origin of specific phobia

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Athletes and highly trained individuals may still need more specialized, sport specific programs.

From Science Daily • Mar. 19, 2026

The University of Florida, University of Texas at Austin and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill capture the top three spots thanks to specific programs that have elevated civic discourse and top-flight academic programs.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 22, 2025

The rule allows amendments to appropriations bills that would reduce the salary of or fire specific federal employees, or cut specific programs.

From Washington Times • Sep. 27, 2023

She did not respond to questions about specific programs that were cut in the merger.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 12, 2023

These principles confirm us in carrying out the specific programs for peace which we have already begun.

From State of the Union Address by Truman, Harry S.

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023