How to Pronounce Acrophobia
Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling
Acrophobia Pronunciation
ak-roh-FOH-bee-ah
Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables
Syllable Breakdown
ak
roh
FOH
stress here
bee
ah
5 syllables
What is Acrophobia?
An abnormal and persistent fear of heights that causes anxiety and avoidance of elevated places such as balconies, ladders, or tall buildings. It differs from a normal wariness of heights in its intensity and the degree to which it interferes with daily life.
Questions About Acrophobia
How do you pronounce acrophobia?
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Acrophobia is pronounced ak-roh-FOH-bee-ah. Start with 'ak' (like the letter 'a'), then say 'roh' (rhymes with 'go'), then stress the third part by saying 'FOH' loudly, and finish with 'bee-ah.' The emphasis goes on that third syllable: FOH.
How many syllables are in acrophobia?
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Acrophobia has four syllables: ac-ro-pho-bi-a. When you say it out loud, you'll notice the third syllable (pho) stands out the most because that's where the stress falls.
What's the most common mistake people make saying this word?
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The biggest mistake is stressing the wrong syllable—people often say ak-ROH-foh-bee-ah (stressing the second syllable) when it should be ak-roh-FOH-bee-ah (stressing the third syllable). Remember: the 'FOH' part gets the emphasis.
What do the word parts of acrophobia mean?
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Acrophobia comes from two Greek roots: 'acron' means 'peak' or 'summit' (the top of something high), and 'phobos' means 'fear.' So the word literally means 'fear of heights' or 'fear of peaks.'
What's a simple way to explain what acrophobia means?
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Acrophobia is an intense, lasting fear of heights. It's stronger than just being careful around tall places—it's a fear that makes people really anxious and want to avoid being up high.
What other words share the 'phobia' root?
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Many fear-related words use 'phobia,' such as arachnophobia (fear of spiders) and claustrophobia (fear of small spaces). The 'phobia' part always signals that the word is about a fear or anxiety.
Can you use acrophobia in a sentence?
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Sure! Here's an example: 'Her acrophobia made it difficult for her to enjoy the view from the observation deck.' This shows how the word describes the fear itself in a clear, medical way.
Is there a short way to write or say acrophobia?
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There isn't a standard abbreviation like you'd see for some medical terms. People usually just say the full word acrophobia, or in casual conversation might just say 'fear of heights.'