Arachnophobia
- Pronunciation
- /uh-rak-nuh-FOH-bee-uh/
- Category
- Behavior
- Singular
- Arachnophobia
- Plural
- Arachnophobias
Definition
An irrational fear of spiders and other arachnids, which can cause severe anxiety and avoidance behaviors.
Etymology
From Greek 'arachne' meaning 'spider' and 'phobos' meaning 'fear'.
Example
Her arachnophobia was so intense that she couldn't even look at pictures of spiders without feeling anxious.
Synonyms
- Spider fear
Related Terms
- Anxiety
- Phobia
- Arachnid
Usage Notes
Arachnophobia can range from mild discomfort to severe panic attacks and can significantly impact daily activities for those affected.