trypophobia

noun

tryp·​o·​pho·​bia ˌtri-pə-ˈfō-bē-ə How to pronounce trypophobia (audio)
: fear of or aversion to clusters or repeating patterns of tightly packed small holes or bumps
Trypophobia is a common form of discomfort that is triggered by … holes, such as those found in lotus seed pods.Tomoko Imura
Decay, disease, or parasitic infection can cause similar densely-packed holes or bumps like those which cause distress in people with trypophobia.William Hunter
trypophobic adjective
trypophobic individuals
The shoe's array of pocked cutouts, for air flow, could set off a trypophobic response. Nathan Taylor Pemberton

Word History

Etymology

Late Greek trýpē, trŷpa "hole" (probably back-formation from Greek trȳpáō, trȳpân "to drill a hole through, bore") + -o- + -phobia — more at trepan entry 2

First Known Use

2006, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of trypophobia was in 2006

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Trypophobia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trypophobia. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.

Last Updated: - Entry added
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