arachnophobia
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
- arachnophobe noun
- arachnophobic adjective
Etymology
Origin of arachnophobia
First recorded in 1925–30; from Greek aráchn(ē) “spider” + -o- ( def. ) + -phobia
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
If you suffer from arachnophobia, this is the time of year when you’re most likely to run into one of your worst nightmares: a tarantula.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 4, 2025
Having a fear of spiders is something many people can relate to, but is there a way to combat arachnophobia?
From BBC • Jul. 7, 2022
In the film, Dr. Ross Jennings suffers from arachnophobia but ultimately saves his town from a deadly spider infestation.
From Salon • Jan. 20, 2022
Negri said he began raising spiders to overcome arachnophobia, and now has 60.
From Seattle Times • Sep. 23, 2021
The wide range of subjects in this collection includes Jeffrey Dahmer, a cruise to Antarctica, the dedicated wives of famous intellectuals and arachnophobia.
From New York Times • Apr. 22, 2021
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.