aerophobia

American  

[air-uh-foh-bee-uh] / ˌɛər əˈfoʊ bi ə /

noun

Psychiatry.

1. aviophobia.

2. a fear of or pathological sensitivity to drafts of air, gases, or airborne matter.

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aerophobia British  

/ ˌɛərəˈfəʊbɪə /

noun

1. a pathological fear of draughts of air

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Other Word Forms

• aerophobic adjective

Etymology

Origin of aerophobia

First recorded in 1765–75; aero- + -phobia

Example Sentences

Mel’s also broke, has an aversion to commitment, and in a relatable and metaphorical twist, is gripped by aerophobia.

From Salon • Sep. 27, 2024

I was 9 years old and already suffering from a raging case of aerophobia.

From Salon • Dec. 16, 2012

Staggered by the recession, constant fare fights and a global epidemic of aerophobia growing out of last year's Persian Gulf conflict, U.S. airlines have lost more than $6 billion since 1990.

From Time Magazine Archive

Nothing is more likely to produce immediate and fatal aerophobia than the sickening sight from the air of a crash, yellow wings flattened out against the green ground a thousand feet below.

From Opportunities in Aviation by Sweetser, Arthur

At times his language on what he called aerophobia grew highly animated.

From Benjamin Franklin; Self-Revealed, Volume II (of 2) A Biographical and Critical Study Based Mainly on his own Writings by Bruce, Wiliam Cabell