word-forming element meaning "excessive or irrational fear, horror, or aversion," from Latin -phobia and directly from Greek -phobia "panic fear of," from phobos "fear" (see phobia). In widespread popular use with native words from c. 1800. In psychology, "an abnormal or irrational fear." Related: -phobic.

"morbid fear of fire," 1871, from pyro- "fire" + -phobia "fear."

"fear of love or emotional intimacy," by 1976, from philo- + -phobia.

"dread of or morbid sensitivity to anything cold," especially cold water, 1727, from psychro- "cold" + -phobia "fear."