phobia

Definitions

phob (Greek phobos, fear) + -ia (a noun ending naming a state or condition) = 'a state of fear.' But phobia is stronger than everyday fear: it's an intense, often irrational dread of one specific thing. The same word doubles as the suffix -phobia, which names individual fears (claustrophobia, arachnophobia).

Why It Means This

A phobia isn't just being scared — it's a fear so strong and persistent that it interferes with normal life, even when the person knows the danger is exaggerated. That's why doctors treat phobias clinically. The word also became a productive suffix: attach -phobia to almost anything and you've named a fear of it.

Common Collocations

• 1.develop a phobia产生恐惧症
• 2.social phobia社交恐惧症
• 3.overcome a phobia克服恐惧症
• 4.specific phobia特定恐惧症
• 5.a phobia of/about something对某物的恐惧症

Example Sentences

• 1.

  She has a phobia of spiders and screams whenever she sees one.

• 2.

  Many people develop a phobia after a frightening experience.

• 3.

  With therapy, he slowly overcame his phobia of flying.

Easily Confused

phobia vs fear — fear is the ordinary, often reasonable reaction to real danger (fear of the dark while alone). A phobia is excessive, persistent, and irrational, usually attached to one specific trigger and strong enough to need treatment. You can fear a real threat; a phobia stays even when there's no real threat.