acrophobia

[ ak-ruh-foh-bee-uh ]

nounPsychiatry.
  1. an irrational or disproportionate fear of heights: I knew my acrophobia would keep me off of the competitive diving platforms, but I was surprised when walking the diving board three feet above the pool deck also terrified me.

Origin of acrophobia

1
First recorded in 1890–95; acro-, -phobia
  • Also called al·to·pho·bi·a [al-tuh-foh-bee-uh] /ˌæl təˈfoʊ bi ə/ .

Other words from acrophobia

  • ac·ro·pho·bic, adjective, noun

Words Nearby acrophobia

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How to use acrophobia in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for acrophobia

acrophobia

/ (ˌækrəˈfəʊbɪə) /


noun
  1. abnormal fear or dread of being at a great height

Origin of acrophobia

1
C19: from acro- + -phobia

Derived forms of acrophobia

  • acrophobic, adjective, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for acrophobia

acrophobia

[ (ak-ruh-foh-bee-uh) ]


An abnormal fear of heights.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.