aquaphobia

[ ak-wuh-foh-bee-uh, ah-kwuh‑ ]

noun

, Psychiatry.

1. an irrational or disproportionate fear of water, especially anxiety in deep water or when submerging one's face in water: Compare hydrophobia ( def 1 ).

   He'd almost drowned as a child and never got over his subsequent aquaphobia.

aquaphobia

/ ˌækwəˈfəʊbɪə /

noun

1. an abnormal fear of water, esp because of the possibility of drowning Compare hydrophobia

Other Words From

• aq·ua·pho·bic adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of aquaphobia¹

First recorded in 1875–80; aqua- + -phobia