aerophobia

noun

aero·​pho·​bia ˌer-ō-ˈfō-bē-ə How to pronounce aerophobia (audio)
: fear or strong dislike of flying : aviophobia
Studies estimate as many as 50 million Americans suffer from some degree of aerophobia.Andrew Tilghman
aerophobe noun
or aerophobic
plural aerophobes or aerophobics
To combat anxiety, many of those nervous about air travel opt for video or audio tapes designed to relax the anxious aerophobe Zlati Meyer
As a chronic aerophobic, I've taken a number of courses over the years designed to help people overcome their fear, most of them based on the idea that knowledge is power. Stephanie Merritt
aerophobic adjective
You can tell them flying a commercial jetliner once a year is safer than driving to work every weekday—and mortality statistics prove this. But statistics won't persuade an aerophobic person to get on a plane. Matthew Lubenko

Word History

Etymology

earlier, "fear of drafts or fresh air," borrowed from New Latin aërophobia, from aëro- aero- + -phobia -phobia

First Known Use

1966, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of aerophobia was in 1966

Dictionary Entries Near aerophobia

Cite this Entry

“Aerophobia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aerophobia. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

aerophobia

noun
aero·​pho·​bia ˌar-ō-ˈfō-bē-ə, ˌer- How to pronounce aerophobia (audio)
1
: abnormal or excessive fear of drafts or of fresh air
2
: fear or strong dislike of flying
aerophobic adjective
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