ailurophobia: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low frequency / C2Formal, technical (medical/psychological)
Quick answer
What does “ailurophobia” mean?
An intense, irrational fear of cats.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An intense, irrational fear of cats.
A persistent, clinical phobia characterised by excessive anxiety or panic triggered by the presence, thought, or image of cats, often leading to avoidance behaviour.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The term is equally formal and specialised in both varieties.
Connotations
Connotes a clinical, psychological condition in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally rare in both varieties, used primarily in psychological/medical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “ailurophobia” in a Sentence
to have ailurophobiato suffer from ailurophobiaVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “ailurophobia” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- There is no direct verb form. Use constructions like 'to be ailurophobic'.
American English
- There is no direct verb form. Use constructions like 'to have ailurophobia'.
adverb
British English
- He reacted ailurophobically, jumping onto a chair when the kitten entered.
American English
- She looked around the room ailurophobically, checking for any feline presence.
adjective
British English
- His ailurophobic tendencies meant he couldn't visit his sister's house.
American English
- She is ailurophobic and insists her apartment building be pet-free.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in psychology, psychiatry, and clinical case studies.
Everyday
Rarely used; simpler terms like 'terrified of cats' are preferred.
Technical
Standard term in diagnostic manuals and clinical literature for a specific animal phobia.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “ailurophobia”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “ailurophobia”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “ailurophobia”
- Mispronunciation (e.g., 'aleuro-phobia'). Misspelling (e.g., 'ailorophobia'). Using it to mean a simple dislike.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Ailurophobia is a clinically recognised anxiety disorder involving intense, irrational fear and avoidance. A simple dislike is not a phobia.
They are synonyms, both meaning an extreme fear of cats. 'Ailurophobia' (from Greek 'ailouros') is more common in clinical use than the Latin-derived 'felinophobia'.
Like other specific phobias, it is typically treated with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), particularly exposure therapy, and sometimes medication for anxiety.
Ailurophilia, which denotes a great love or fondness for cats.
An intense, irrational fear of cats.
Ailurophobia is usually formal, technical (medical/psychological) in register.
Ailurophobia: in British English it is pronounced /ˌaɪljʊərə(ʊ)ˈfəʊbɪə/, and in American English it is pronounced /aɪˌlʊrəˈfoʊbiə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly; related to the concept of 'scaredy-cat'.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
AILUROphobia = 'AIL' (as in feeling ill) + 'URO' (sounds like 'purr-o') + PHOBIA. You feel ill at the sound of a cat's purr.
Conceptual Metaphor
FEAR IS A DISEASE / FEAR IS A CAPTOR (e.g., 'suffers from', 'crippled by', 'paralysed by' ailurophobia).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most precise meaning of 'ailurophobia'?