mysophobia

[ mahy-suh-foh-bee-uh ]

nounPsychiatry.
  1. an irrational or disproportionate fear of germs and contamination.

Origin of mysophobia

1
First recorded in 1875–80; from Greek mýso(s) “pollution, defilement, terrible sight” + -phobia
  • Also called germ·a·pho·bi·a [jur-muh-foh-bee-uh] /ˌdʒɜr məˈfoʊ bi ə/ .

Other words from mysophobia

  • my·so·phobe [mahy-suh-fohb], /ˈmaɪ səˌfoʊb/, noun
  • my·so·pho·bic, adjective noun

Words Nearby mysophobia

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024