Skip to main content
-phobe

-phobe

8.8
A word part used to make words for things or people that do not mix with a substance
  • other
translation icon : -fobo
  • A hydrophobic molecule, or hydrophobe, does not mix well with water.

Examples

  • In chemistry, a lipophobe is a substance that repels fats or oils.

  • Someone who avoids seafood may be considered a seafood phobe due to their strong aversion.

  • The term xenophobe describes someone who has a strong dislike of foreigners.

  • She is an -phobe when it comes to spiders.

  • Many people are -phobes of heights.

  • A xenophobe often expresses negative feelings towards people from different cultures.

  • The homophobe resisted engaging with the LGBTQ+ community because of their beliefs.

Synonyms

phobe
vs-phobe
  • Specialized
9.1

A word ending that makes nouns for people who fear or dislike something

describes avoidance or being repelled rather than just feeling fear

Surface Forms

-phobe main

Etymology

-Phobe comes from the Greek word phobos meaning 'fear', and in science it forms words like hydrophobe 'water-fearing' or lipophobe 'fat-fearing'. That's why a hydrophobe is something that avoids or is repelled by a particular substance.