anthophobia

Anthophobia is the abnormal fear of flowers.

Some people have phobias, which are ”fears associated with specific objects or activities.” These abnormal (unusual) fears are typically considered irrational (not based on reason) because the object of the fear isn’t usually harmful. Often, these fears are formed around a traumatic event.

Anthophobia was the Dictionary.com Word of the Day on April 5, 2019!

Example: Stacey developed anthophobia as a child after having a severe allergic reaction to a plant and associating the danger with all flowers.

Anthophobia is a combination of antho- (from a Greek word meaning “flower”) and -phobia (from a Greek word meaning “fear”). It follows the same pattern as many words for specific phobias, such as arachnophobia (fear of spiders).

Most people enjoy flowers because of their beautiful colors and shapes. But in extremely rare cases, the sight of flowers can instill deep anxiety or terror. Anthophobia is usually brought on by an additional factor, such as the fear of getting stung by a bee hiding in the flowers or of having an allergic reaction to a plant. In many cases, a person with anthophobia has experienced a traumatic scenario like these, and their worries have become linked with flowers. This  abnormal fear rooted in a past trauma is the case for most phobias. People with anthophobia typically understand that their anxiety is irrational but are still affected by psychological reactions that trigger fear.

Anthophobia, like other -phobia words, is more often used in formal settings, since the more straightforward phrase “fear of flowers” usually suffices.

What are some other forms of anthophobia?

• anthophobic

What are some words that share a root or word element with anthophobia?

• anthology
• arachnophobia
• hydrophobia

What are some words that often get used in discussing anthophobia?

• phobia
• fear
• flower
• allergy
• irrational

As with all phobias, it is best to discuss anthophobia with a sincere tone that doesn’t make light of someone’s fears, even if they are irrational.

as someone with anthophobia, this flower is really pretty but Oh God No https://t.co/x7XcBSK0cL

— a^9 (@aliahgarc) April 3, 2019

F.U.N. Fact: I had Anthophobia when I was younger which is the fear of flowers. One time I had a scary dream about a flower with a face sprinkling water at me and every time they swayed I got flashbacks.

— Sir Worm (@Sirworm) August 20, 2018

As a sufferer of anthophobia, Valentine's Day just isn't for me 🥀

— Jessica Myers (@mini_myers) February 14, 2017

Which part of the word anthophobia relates to flowers?

A. antho
B. phobia
C. phob
D. obia