agoraphobic
C1Formal/Clinical; can be used in informal conversation but often indicates a specific psychological condition.
Definition
Meaning
Characterised by or suffering from an extreme or irrational fear of entering open or crowded places, of leaving one's own home, or of being in places from which escape is difficult.
Relating to or experiencing anxiety in situations perceived to be unsafe, especially public spaces; can describe a person, feeling, or behaviour. In non-clinical contexts, sometimes used loosely to describe a reluctance to go outside or be in busy places.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily an adjective describing a person or their state. Less commonly used as a noun ('an agoraphobic'). As a noun, it can be considered dehumanising in clinical contexts; 'person with agoraphobia' is often preferred.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling and usage are identical. The clinical diagnosis and lay understanding are consistent across both varieties.
Connotations
In both varieties, the primary connotation is of a clinical anxiety disorder. Informal use ('I'm feeling a bit agoraphobic today') carries a lighter, self-deprecating tone.
Frequency
Similar frequency in both dialects, primarily in medical, psychological, and general interest contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
BE/BECOME/FEEL + agoraphobicagoraphobic + about + -ING clause (e.g., about leaving the house)agoraphobic + when + clause (e.g., when in crowds)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A prisoner in one's own home”
- “Walls are closing in (related feeling)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might appear in HR discussions regarding employee wellbeing or accommodations.
Academic
Common in psychology, psychiatry, and neuroscience literature discussing anxiety disorders.
Everyday
Used to describe someone who rarely leaves home, or to express a personal feeling of anxiety about going out.
Technical
Precise clinical term in diagnostics (DSM-5/ICD-11) for a type of anxiety disorder, often comorbid with panic disorder.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- (Rarely used as verb; 'to agoraphobe' is non-standard.)
American English
- (Rarely used as verb; 'to agoraphobe' is non-standard.)
adverb
British English
- (Rare; 'agoraphobically' is theoretically possible but almost never used.)
American English
- (Rare; 'agoraphobically' is theoretically possible but almost never used.)
adjective
British English
- After the traumatic event, she became increasingly agoraphobic.
- The flat felt safe, but the thought of the busy high street outside was agoraphobic.
American English
- His agoraphobic symptoms made commuting to the office impossible.
- Living in a tiny village, she started to feel almost agoraphobic, with no desire to travel to the city.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- (Too advanced for A2. Concept not typically introduced at this level.)
- She doesn't like big crowds; she says it makes her feel agoraphobic.
- My uncle is quite agoraphobic and prefers to stay at home.
- Following a panic attack on the subway, he developed agoraphobic tendencies and began working remotely.
- The film character's agoraphobic isolation was portrayed with great sensitivity.
- Cognitive behavioural therapy is often the first-line treatment for agoraphobic patients, aiming to gradually expose them to feared situations.
- The pandemic lockdowns induced agoraphobic symptoms in some individuals who had no prior history of anxiety disorders.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
AGORA (ancient Greek marketplace/open space) + PHOBIC (fear of). Think: 'Fear of the agora.'
Conceptual Metaphor
THE WORLD IS A THREATENING OPEN SPACE; THE HOME IS A SAFE CONTAINER.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'агорофобический' – it's not standard. Use 'страдающий агорафобией' for a person. The condition is 'агорафобия'.
- Do not confuse with 'claustrophobic' (боязнь замкнутого пространства), which is almost the opposite.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling: 'agrophobic' (missing 'o'), 'agoraphopic'.
- Confusing with 'acrophobic' (fear of heights) or 'arachnophobic' (fear of spiders).
- Using as a synonym for 'introverted' – agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder, not a personality trait.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the term 'agoraphobic' be used LEAST appropriately?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily an adjective ('an agoraphobic person'). It can be used as a noun ('an agoraphobic'), though some consider this label-focused; 'person with agoraphobia' is often preferred in sensitive contexts.
A 'homebody' enjoys staying home by choice without significant anxiety. 'Agoraphobic' implies a fear or anxiety about leaving a safe space (often home) that can be debilitating and involuntary.
Yes. Agoraphobia exists on a spectrum. Some people can go out but only with a trusted companion, or only to specific 'safe' places, often enduring intense anxiety. Severity varies widely.
Conceptually, yes, in a simplified way. Agoraphobia is fear of open/crowded spaces (where escape feels hard), while claustrophobia is fear of confined, enclosed spaces. They are distinct anxiety disorders.