anthropophobic
|an-thro-po-pho-bic|
🇺🇸
/ˌænθrəpəˈfoʊbɪk/
🇬🇧
/ˌænθrəpəˈfəʊbɪk/
fear of people
Etymology
'anthropophobic' originates from Greek, specifically from 'anthropos' and 'phobos', where 'anthropos' meant 'human' and 'phobos' meant 'fear'.
'anthropophobic' formed in modern English by combining the Greek-derived prefix 'anthropo-' (from 'anthropos') with the adjective-forming suffix '-phobic' (from Greek 'phobos'), related to earlier coinages such as 'phobia' and 'anthropophobia'.
Initially it referred directly to 'fear of humans' and over time has remained close to that sense, used both clinically and more loosely to describe avoidance of people.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
related noun form: 'anthropophobia' — an extreme or irrational fear of people or human society (this entry refers to the noun derived from the adjective).
His anthropophobia made it difficult for him to attend gatherings or accept invitations.
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Adjective 1
having or showing an excessive or abnormal fear of people or society; a disposition to avoid or be anxious around other people.
After years of seclusion he became increasingly anthropophobic and avoided all social contact.
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Last updated: 2025/10/13 03:41