acrophobia

noun

ac·​ro·​pho·​bia ˌa-krə-ˈfō-bē-ə How to pronounce acrophobia (audio)
: abnormal dread of being in a high place : fear of heights
acrophobe noun
acrophobic adjective

Examples of acrophobia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Their acrophobia was reduced, according to both questionnaires and skin-conductance measurements. Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 31 Dec. 2011 The experience catalyzes a quest to understand and overcome her acrophobia. Eva Holland, Outside Online, 14 Apr. 2020 Examples: acrophobia, the fear of heights; arachnophobia, the fear of spiders. Kayla Webley Adler, Marie Claire, 8 July 2019 Latest Stories Virtual reality helped people with acrophobia, a fear of heights, overcome their fear and venture onto mountains and rope bridges, researchers said. NBC News, 11 July 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'acrophobia.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Italian acrofobia, from acro- acro- + -fobia -phobia

First Known Use

circa 1888, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of acrophobia was circa 1888

Dictionary Entries Near acrophobia

Cite this Entry

“Acrophobia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acrophobia. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

acrophobia

noun
ac·​ro·​pho·​bia ˌak-rə-ˈfō-bē-ə How to pronounce acrophobia (audio)
: fear of heights

Medical Definition

acrophobia

noun
ac·​ro·​pho·​bia ˌak-rə-ˈfō-bē-ə How to pronounce acrophobia (audio)
: abnormal or pathological dread of being in a high place : fear of heights
acrophobic adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on acrophobia

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