xenophobia
C1Formal to Academic; common in political and sociological discourse.
Definition
Meaning
A deep-seated fear, dislike, or prejudice against people from other countries or cultures.
A general hostility or aversion towards anything perceived as foreign, strange, or unfamiliar. This can extend beyond people to include ideas, customs, or goods.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Denotes a psychological state (phobia) manifesting as an attitude or prejudice. Often carries a strong negative moral judgment.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage.
Connotations
Universally pejorative; implies irrationality and prejudice.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both varieties, slightly higher in UK media due to historical immigration discourse.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
xenophobia (towards + NP)xenophobia (against + NP)xenophobia among + NPxenophobia + verb (is rising/spreading)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this specific noun, but related to] 'fear of the other', 'us vs. them mentality'”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in discussions of global workplace diversity or market entry barriers.
Academic
Central in sociology, political science, and migration studies.
Everyday
Used in news and political discussions.
Technical
Specific diagnostic term in psychology (less common).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The populist leader was accused of xenophobising public debate.
American English
- Politicians should not xenophobize the issue of immigration.
adverb
British English
- He argued xenophobically against the new trade agreement.
American English
- The policy was xenophobically designed to exclude outsiders.
adjective
British English
- The newspaper was criticised for its xenophobic rhetoric.
American English
- He was fired for making xenophobic comments on social media.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Xenophobia is bad.
- The new law was criticised because it encouraged xenophobia.
- The rise in xenophobia across Europe has been linked to economic uncertainty.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'XENO' (stranger/foreign) + 'PHOBIA' (fear). Fear of foreigners.
Conceptual Metaphor
FOREIGN IS A DISEASE / THREAT (e.g., 'xenophobia is a virus spreading through the population').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'ksenofobiya' (direct cognate, same meaning). Ensure it's not translated as simply 'nationalism' (национализм) or 'racism' (расизм), though they are related concepts.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing xenophobia with racism (xenophobia targets nationality/culture; racism targets perceived race).
- Using 'xenophobia' to describe simple personal shyness.
Practice
Quiz
Which of these is the BEST example of xenophobia?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Racism is prejudice based on perceived racial characteristics. Xenophobia is prejudice based on someone's foreign nationality, culture, or status as an outsider. They often overlap but are distinct concepts.
Typically, no. By definition, xenophobia is directed at those perceived as foreign. Prejudice against a group within the same country would generally be classed as discrimination, sectarianism, or racism.
The direct opposite is 'xenophilia' – an attraction to or admiration for foreign peoples, cultures, or customs. More common antonyms are 'cosmopolitanism' or 'tolerance'.
Yes, it is more commonly used than the noun 'xenophobia' in everyday political and news reporting (e.g., 'xenophobic policies', 'xenophobic remarks').