technophobe
Medium frequency (C1 level in CEFR)Neutral to informal; used in everyday, professional, and academic contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A person who fears or dislikes technology and avoids using it.
Often implies a resistance to adopting new technologies due to anxiety, lack of confidence, or skepticism, not necessarily irrational fear; can be used in humorous or light-hearted contexts.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term can carry a slightly humorous or self-deprecating tone; it is not always pejorative and may describe temporary or situational reluctance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage; spelling and pronunciation are consistent with regional variations.
Connotations
Similar in both variants; may be perceived as slightly more common in American English due to tech culture, but equally understood.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both UK and US English, with occasional use in media and discussions about technology adoption.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
be a technophobetechnophobe of [technology]technophobe who [verbs]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to employees or clients reluctant to adopt new software, tools, or digital processes, often discussed in change management.
Academic
Used in sociology, psychology, or technology studies to describe societal or individual resistance to technological innovation.
Everyday
Common in casual conversation to describe someone who avoids smartphones, computers, or new gadgets, often with a humorous tone.
Technical
In tech fields, used humorously to label non-technical colleagues or users, but can highlight accessibility issues.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- He is rather technophobic when it comes to mobiles.
- Their technophobic attitude slows down the office upgrade.
American English
- She's pretty technophobic about cell phones.
- The technophobic response to new software is common here.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My grandad is a technophobe.
- She is a technophobe and doesn't like computers.
- As a technophobe, he avoids using smartphones.
- Many older people are technophobes, but they can learn.
- Despite being a technophobe, she adapted to online banking during the pandemic.
- Technophobes often express concerns about privacy in digital age.
- The proliferation of smart devices has intensified the divide between technophiles and technophobes in modern society.
- Corporate training programs aim to mitigate technophobe tendencies among employees to enhance productivity.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'tech-no-phobe' – someone who says 'no' to technology due to a phobia (fear).
Conceptual Metaphor
FEAR IS A PHOBIA; TECHNOLOGY IS A THREAT.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Direct translation to 'технофоб' is accurate, but ensure context matches; Russian might use it similarly, but cultural attitudes towards technology may vary.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing with 'technophile' (a lover of technology)
- Mispronouncing the 'ph' as /f/ only in parts; ensure the full /fəʊb/ or /foʊb/ sound.
- Using as a verb incorrectly; it is primarily a noun.
Practice
Quiz
What best describes a technophobe?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be, but is often used neutrally or humorously to describe reluctance towards technology, without strong stigma.
No, it is primarily a noun; the adjective form is 'technophobic', and there is no standard verb form; instead, use phrases like 'fear technology'.
The opposite is 'technophile', which refers to a person who is enthusiastic about technology.
It is moderately common, especially in discussions about digital literacy, technology adoption, and generational gaps, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary.
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