trypophobia

American  

[trip-uh-foh-bee-uh] / ˌtrɪp əˈfoʊ bi ə /

noun

1. an irrational or disproportionate feeling of discomfort or revulsion at the sight of clustered holes or bumps, as seen in sponges, honeycombs, certain seed pods, soap bubbles, and bubbles in batter: although not officially recognized as a specific phobia, trypophobia is a subject of ongoing psychiatric research.

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Usage

What does trypophobia mean? Trypophobia is a word for the strong feeling of discomfort or revulsion at the sight of tiny holes or bumps.People who report this feeling are repulsed by things like the tiny seeds on strawberries, small bubbles in batter or soap foam, and the clusters of small holes in things like sponges and seed pods. Trypophobia is a relatively recent word that’s still very rarely used except by those whom it affects. It’s not officially recognized as a mental disorder.Example: A lot of people like intricate patterns with tiny details, but for a person with trypophobia, the patterns may trigger feelings of extreme disgust.

Other Word Forms

• trypophobic adjective

Etymology

Origin of trypophobia

First recorded in 2005–10; from Greek trŷp(a) “hole” + -o- ( def. ) + -phobia ( def. )

Example Sentences

Here, Dr. Kupfer was presenting findings to colleagues on trypophobia, the aversion to clustered holes experienced by some people.

From New York Times

He even pushes buttons he may not have even intended to; if you suffer from trypophobia, you’re in for an extra-hellish experience.

From Los Angeles Times

Do I love that the actual speaker looks like a trypophobia disaster?

From The Verge

Sufferers of trypophobia, an aversion to clusters of holes or cracks, are outing themselves online as a reaction to internet memes.

From The Guardian

The new kid on the block, trypophobia, is not yet widely accepted as one of them.

From The Guardian