glossophobia

noun

glos·​so·​pho·​bia ˌglä-sō-ˈfō-bē-ə 

ˌglȯ-

: fear of public speaking

In anticipation of speaking in public, a person with glossophobia can experience a dry mouth, weak voice and uncontrollable body shaking.

—Robert Malone

glossophobe

ˈglä-sō-ˌfōb 

ˈglȯ-

noun

or glossophobic

ˌglä-sō-ˈfō-bik 

ˌglȯ-

plural glossophobes or glossophobics

If your audience feels as if you're insincere or unknowledgeable, they may give you real reason to be a glossophobe!

—Robert Seip

glossophobic adjective

… as a meeting planner, you're often charged with making your glossophobic speakers look good.

—Josh Golden

Examples of glossophobia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Individuals with glossophobia experience mild to debilitating anxiety when speaking in front of small or large groups. —Julia Wuench, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2021

The National Institute of Mental Health cites that public speaking anxiety, or glossophobia, affects about 73% of the population. —Ellevate, Forbes, 27 May 2021

Word History

Etymology

glosso- + -phobia

First Known Use

1964, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for glossophobia

• rhizobia
• agoraphobia
• claustrophobia
• homophobia
• hydrophobia
• photophobia
• xenophobia
• phobia