How to Pronounce Claustrophobia
Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling
Claustrophobia Pronunciation
klaw-stroh-FOH-bee-ah
Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables
Syllable Breakdown
klaw
stroh
FOH
stress here
bee
ah
5 syllables
What is Claustrophobia?
An intense fear of enclosed or confined spaces, such as elevators, tunnels, or small rooms. People with claustrophobia may experience panic attacks and go to great lengths to avoid situations where they feel trapped.
Questions About Claustrophobia
How do you pronounce claustrophobia?
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Claustrophobia is pronounced klaw-stroh-FOH-bee-ah. The stress falls on the third syllable, which is FOH. Say it like you're saying "claw" at the start, then "stro," then emphasize "FOH" loudly, and finish with "bee-uh."
How many syllables does claustrophobia have?
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Claustrophobia has four syllables: claus-tro-pho-bia. Breaking it into parts makes it easier to remember and say the whole word correctly.
What is the most common mispronunciation of claustrophobia?
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Many people stress the wrong syllable and say claus-TROH-foh-bee-ah instead of klaw-stroh-FOH-bee-ah. Remember: the emphasis goes on FOH, not TROH. Listening to the correct pronunciation a few times will help you get it right.
Where does the word claustrophobia come from?
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Claustrophobia comes from two Latin and Greek roots: "claustrum" (Latin for "closed space" or "lock") and "phobos" (Greek for "fear"). Together, they literally mean "fear of closed spaces."
What does claustrophobia mean in simple words?
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Claustrophobia simply means an intense fear of being in small, enclosed, or confined spaces—like a crowded elevator, a tiny bathroom, or a tunnel. It's an extreme worry about feeling trapped or having no way out.
Are there related words that share the same root as claustrophobia?
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Yes! Other words ending in "-phobia" (fear of) share the Greek root, such as arachnophobia (fear of spiders) and acrophobia (fear of heights). The "claustro-" part also appears in claustral, which means "related to a closed or confined space."
How would you use claustrophobia in a sentence?
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You might say, "My friend has claustrophobia, so she prefers taking the stairs instead of the elevator." This sentence shows how the word describes a type of fear that affects someone's choices.
Why is the stress on the third syllable in claustrophobia?
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In English, many words borrowed from Greek and Latin place stress on specific syllables based on their origin language. In claustrophobia, the stress naturally falls on the third syllable (FOH) because of how the Greek root "phobos" is pronounced. Getting the stress right makes you sound clear and confident when you say it.