klaw-struh-FOH-bee-uh
/ˌklɔstɹəˈfoʊbiə/
claustrophobia is pronounced klaw-struh-FOH-bee-uh (/ˌklɔstɹəˈfoʊbiə/). Claustrophobia is an intense fear of confined spaces that can trigger panic and physical symptoms. It stems from a perceived lack of escape or control, often leading to avoidance of places such as elevators or crowded rooms. The term denotes a specific phobia, treatment often includes exposure-based therapy and coping strategies.
Claustrophobia is an intense fear of confined spaces that can trigger panic and physical symptoms. It stems from a perceived lack of escape or control, often leading to avoidance of places such as elevators or crowded rooms. The term denotes a specific phobia, treatment often includes exposure-based therapy and coping strategies.
"During the car ride in the tunnel, her claustrophobia intensified, making her request to leave urgently."
"He disclosed his claustrophobia to the doctor so they could avoid procedures involving small rooms or enclosed equipment."
"The new apartment layout triggered claustrophobia for her, despite the open floor plan."
Stress falls on the third syllable: cla-us-tro-PHOB-ia. Phonetic guide: US/UK pronunciation is roughly /ˌklɔː.strəˈfoʊ.bi.ə/ in US and /ˌklɔː.strəˈfəʊ.bi.ə/ in UK; for Australian English it aligns with /ˌklɔː.strəˈfəː.bi.ə/. Break it down: /klɔː/ as ‘claw’ with a long aw, /strə/ as ‘struh,’ /ˈfoʊ/ or /ˈfəʊ/ with the stressed vowel, /bi.ə/ as ‘bee-uh’. Practice chunking: CLAUS-truh-PHO-BI-a.
Common errors: misplacing stress (trying to stress the ‘tro’ syllable), pronouncing /klɒst/ with a shorter vowel in the first syllable, or delaying the /foʊ/ sound. Correction: keep the /ˌklɔː.strə/ chunk fluent, then stress /ˈfoʊ.bi.ə/ (US) or /ˈfəʊ.bi.ə/ (UK). Ensure the final -bia is light and quick, not prolonged. Use slow repetition to anchor the exact syllable-timing.
US: /ˌklɔː.strəˈfoʊ.bi.ə/ with rhotic r and a rounded /ɔː/; UK: /ˌklɔː.strəˈfəʊ.bi.ə/ with non-rhotic r and a diphthong /əʊ/; AU: similar to UK, but occasional flattening of /əʊ/ and slight /ɜː/ color. The main variation is the final vowel sequence and rhotacization of the medial vowel. Pay attention to the ending /bi.ə/ which remains unstressed and quick in all accents.
It mixes a tense-lax sequence and a multi-syllabic rhythm: /klɔː.strəˈfoʊ.bi.ə/ requires precise stress timing across four syllables plus a final schwa. The 'st' cluster in the initial syllable can trip speakers, and the /foʊ/ or /fəʊ/ vowel differs by accent. Mastering the middle /strə/ while maintaining a smooth transition to the stressed /foʊ/ is key.
No silent letters in standard pronunciation. Every letter contributes to the phonetic flow, especially the consonant cluster /klɔː.strə/ that precedes the stressed /foʊ/ or /fəʊ/ vowel. The final -ia yields /i.ə/ approximating a light 'ee-uh' sound; in rapid speech the /i/ can be reduced toward a schwa. Awareness of the two unstressed vowels helps you avoid overemphasis.
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Claustrophobia comes from Latin claustrum ‘barred closed space, lockable place’ + Greek phóbia ‘fear, dread’ from phobos ‘fear’. The term is a compound that literally means fear of a closed space. Historical usage of phobia to describe persistent fears or aversions appears in medical literature from the 19th century, with systematic psychiatric examination of specific phobias increasing in the early 20th century. Early descriptions framed claustrophobia within the spectrum of anxiety disorders, emphasizing irrational fear of being shut in rather than a rational concern about safety. The modern clinical definition acknowledges disproportionate avoidance and panic that is out of proportion to the actual situation. The word entered English medical discourse as psychology formalized diagnostic categories in the late 1800s to mid-1900s, though popular interest and self-diagnosis have grown with media portrayals of anxiety and panic attacks. Usage has remained stable across American and British English, though clinicians often nuance the term within broader anxiety disorder frameworks.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "claustrophobia" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "claustrophobia" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "claustrophobia"
-bia sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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