B2nounpsychologyhealth
US/ˈfoʊ.bi.ə/
UK/ˈfəʊ.bi.ə/
a very strong and unreasonable fear of something, such as spiders, heights or small spaces
In context
She has a phobia of flying, so she always travels by train.
Therapy can help people overcome a phobia that affects their daily lives.
Many phobias begin in childhood after one frightening experience.
Words that go with phobia
verb + noun
- have a phobiaMy brother has a phobia about needles.
- overcome a phobiaHe finally overcame his phobia of dogs.
- develop a phobiaSome children develop a phobia after a bad fall.
adjective + noun
- social phobiaSocial phobia can make job interviews very hard.
noun + preposition
- phobia ofShe has a phobia of spiders.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
I have phobia of heights.Correct: I have a phobia of heights.