How to Pronounce Agoraphobia
Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling
Agoraphobia Pronunciation
ag-or-ah-FOH-bee-ah
Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables
Syllable Breakdown
ag
or
ah
FOH
stress here
bee
ah
6 syllables
What is Agoraphobia?
An anxiety disorder in which a person fears and avoids places or situations that might cause panic, helplessness, or embarrassment, such as open spaces, crowds, or public transportation. People with agoraphobia often feel safest at home and may avoid going out altogether.
Questions About Agoraphobia
How do you pronounce agoraphobia?
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Agoraphobia is pronounced "ag-or-ah-FOH-bee-ah." The stress falls on the fourth syllable, which is "FOH." Say it like you're emphasizing the word "foe" in the middle of the word, then add the remaining syllables around it.
What is the correct way to break agoraphobia into syllables?
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Agoraphobia breaks into five syllables: ag-or-ah-FOH-bee-ah. Each syllable is roughly equal in length, but remember that "FOH" gets the strongest emphasis when you say the whole word.
What is the most common mispronunciation of agoraphobia?
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Many people stress the wrong syllable and say "ag-or-AH-foh-bee-ah" (putting emphasis on the third syllable instead of the fourth). The correct pronunciation puts the stress on "FOH," not on "ah."
Where does the word agoraphobia come from?
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Agoraphobia comes from two Greek roots: "agora," which means a public square or open marketplace, and "phobos," which means fear. So the word literally means "fear of the marketplace" or "fear of open spaces."
What does agoraphobia mean in simple, everyday language?
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Agoraphobia is a condition where someone becomes very anxious about being in certain places or situations—like busy stores, crowds, or open areas—and tends to avoid them. It's an anxiety disorder that can make people feel trapped or unsafe in everyday situations.
What are other medical words that use the Greek root 'phobos'?
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Other words with "phobos" (meaning fear) include acrophobia (fear of heights), claustrophobia (fear of enclosed spaces), and arachnophobia (fear of spiders). All of these words follow the same pattern: a root word + "phobia."
Can you use agoraphobia in a sentence?
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Here's an example: "The term agoraphobia describes an anxiety condition where people fear open or crowded spaces." Notice that you'd use it as a noun to name the condition itself, just like you would use "diabetes" or "asthma."
Is there a short or abbreviated form of agoraphobia?
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While agoraphobia is sometimes shortened to just "agoraphobia" in casual speech, there isn't a standard medical abbreviation like you might see with other conditions. Medical professionals typically say or write out the full word.