osmophobia

noun

os·​mo·​pho·​bia ˌäz-mō-ˈfō-bē-ə How to pronounce osmophobia (audio)
: intolerance of or hypersensitivity to smells
Stress aggravated her headaches. She also had associated symptoms of nausea, vomiting, photophobia, phonophobia, and osmophobia.James D. Collins
also : aversion to or dislike of odors
Migraineurs and other people with headache, particularly those who have odor triggers may develop a fear of or aversion to certain smells, called osmophobia. Kerrie Smyres

Word History

Etymology

Greek osmḗ "smell, odor" + -o- + -phobia — more at osmium

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of osmophobia was in 1842

Dictionary Entries Near osmophobia

Cite this Entry

“Osmophobia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/osmophobia. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!