xenophobia
|xe-no-pho-bia|
C1
🇺🇸
/ˌzɛnəˈfoʊbiə/
🇬🇧
/ˌzɛnəˈfəʊbiə/
fear of foreigners
Etymology
Etymology Information
'xenophobia' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'xenos,' meaning 'stranger' or 'foreigner,' and 'phobos,' meaning 'fear.'
Historical Evolution
'xenos' and 'phobos' combined in Greek to form 'xenophobia,' which was adopted into English in the late 19th century.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'fear of strangers,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'fear or dislike of foreigners.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an intense or irrational dislike or fear of people from other countries.
His xenophobia made it difficult for him to travel abroad.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:42