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aquaphobia

aquaphobia

9.9
A very strong fear of water that makes people avoid swimming and other water activities
  • noun
  • /ˌækwəˈfoʊbiə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : aquafobia
  • "I wish you would have told me about your aquaphobia when we got here," she said.

Examples

  • His new concern wasn't because of his aquaphobia.

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  • She developed an aquaphobia after nearly drowning during a summer camp trip.

  • His aquaphobia made it impossible for him to enjoy the beach with his friends.

  • After years of therapy, she finally overcame her aquaphobia and learned to swim.

Synonyms

hydrophobia
vsaquaphobia
  • Specialized
1 9.6

An extreme, irrational fear of water often seen in rabies

is a general extreme fear of water often focused on drowning

How Afraid

panic
394 2.7
aquaphobia
  • Specialized
9.9
fear
1.0
apprehension
32 4.4
unease
19 4.4

Surface Forms

aquaphobia singular
aquaphobias plural

Morphology

aquaphobia = aqua + phobia (transparent) = aqua + phobia

The word is a straightforward combination of aqua 'water' and phobia 'fear', so its meaning is directly compositional.

Etymology

Aquaphobia comes from aqua meaning 'water' and phobia meaning 'fear', with aqua seen in the word aquarium. So aquaphobia literally means 'fear of water' and today it describes an extreme fear of water or drowning.