trypophobia

noun

tryp·​o·​pho·​bia ˌtri-pə-ˈfō-bē-ə 

: 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

ˌtri-pə-ˈfō-bik 

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

Rhymes for trypophobia

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

Medical Definition

trypophobia

noun

tryp·​o·​pho·​bia ˌtrip-ə-ˈfō-bē-ə 

: fear of or aversion to clusters or repeating patterns of tightly packed small holes or bumps

trypophobic

-ˈfō-bik 

adjective