triskaidekaphobia

American  

[tris-kahy-dek-uh-foh-bee-uh, tris-kuh-] / ˌtrɪs kaɪˌdɛk əˈfoʊ bi ə, ˌtrɪs kə- /

noun

1. an irrational or disproportionate fear of the number 13.

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triskaidekaphobia British  

/ ˌtrɪskaɪˌdɛkəˈfəʊbɪə /

noun

1. an abnormal fear of the number thirteen

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Other Word Forms

• triskaidekaphobic adjective

Etymology

Origin of triskaidekaphobia

First recorded in 1910–15; from Greek triskaídeka “thirteen” + -phobia

Example Sentences

The superstition starts with the dread of the number 13 or "triskaidekaphobia."

From DOGO News

Twelve to 14 percent of teenagers have triskaidekaphobia.

From Washington Post

And many other airlines and airports avoid slapping the number 13 on aisles, flights and gates — sometimes out of logistics and other times because of triskaidekaphobia, according to the Wall Street Journal.

From Time

Other experts suspect even older roots for this form of triskaidekaphobia.

From National Geographic

Spieth didn't spell any of his words right, but he made a valiant attempt on "triskaidekaphobia."

From Golf Digest