xenophobia
Americannoun
-
an aversion or hostility to, disdain for, or fear of foreigners, people from different cultures, or strangers.
Xenophobia and nationalism can be seen as a reaction to the rise of globalization.
-
fear or dislike of the customs, dress, etc., of people who are culturally different from oneself.
Learning a foreign language can help to overcome xenophobia.
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of xenophobia
First recorded in 1890–95; xeno- “foreign, strange” + -phobia “fear”
Explanation
Getting a job as a greeter with the United Nations is probably not the best career option for someone who suffers from xenophobia, a fear of foreigners or strangers. Xenophobia has its roots in fear — literally. Phobia comes from the Greek word meaning "fear." Given that the fear in question is of strangers, it makes sense that xeno- comes from the Greek word for — you guessed it — "stranger, foreigner." In the case of xenophobia, the fear is irrational. Someone who is xenophobic might distrust a neighbor he's never met, or a sheikh who lives halfway around the world. Xenophobia is like racism, but instead of fearing or distrusting people because of the color of their skin, you fear or distrust them because of their nationality, or because they are — or seem — foreign to you.
Vocabulary lists containing xenophobia
100 Words Every High School Graduate Should Know
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
100 SAT words Beginning with W,X,Y, and Z
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Phobia Fever
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
When I read it in high school, I wasn’t engaging with its undercurrents of racism, xenophobia, antisemitism, gender or sexuality in the way I do now.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 1, 2026
Previous waves of xenophobia were localized and universally condemned by politicians, said Loren Landau, a senior researcher with the African Centre for Migration & Society at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 28, 2026
Waves of xenophobia had swept the nation at the turn of the century following a massive surge of immigration from Southern and Eastern Europe.
From Salon ● May 26, 2026
South Africa's government has meanwhile rejected accusations of xenophobia and urged other African nations to address the economic and governance crises driving migration.
From Barron's ● May 22, 2026
Competing influences, paranoia, xenophobia and adverse circumstances all conspired to fracture the religious landscape.
From Terrorists and Freedom Fighters by Vaknin, Samuel
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
