zen-uh-FOH-bee-uh
/ˌzɛnəˈfoʊbiə/
Xenophobia is pronounced zen-uh-FOH-bee-uh (/ˌzɛnəˈfoʊbiə/). Xenophobia is a noun describing an irrational fear or dislike of people from other countries or cultures. It refers to attitudes, biases, or behaviors that dismiss or vilify outsiders, often manifesting as prejudice, discrimination, or hostility. The term combines linguistic roots with a social-psychological concept and is used in academic, policy, and everyday discussions about inclusion and diversity.
nounXenophobia is a noun describing an irrational fear or dislike of people from other countries or cultures. It refers to attitudes, biases, or behaviors that dismiss or vilify outsiders, often manifesting as prejudice, discrimination, or hostility. The term combines linguistic roots with a social-psychological concept and is used in academic, policy, and everyday discussions about inclusion and diversity.
"Her xenophobia was evident in her opposition to immigration policies."
"Public campaigns against xenophobia emphasize inclusion and cultural understanding."
"The study linked xenophobia to economic insecurity and media framing."
Pronounce it as zen-uh-FOH-bee-uh, with four syllables. Stress falls on the third syllable: zen-uh-FOH-bee-uh. In IPA: US/UK/AU: ˌzɛn.əˈfoʊ.bi.ə. Place your tongue for the initial 'z' sound, then ease into the unstressed 'zen-uh' before a strong 'FOH' and a trailing 'bee-uh'.
Common errors include misplacing stress and flattening the vowel in the second syllable (zen-uh-FO-bee-uh). Also, English speakers may overpronounce the third syllable as a hard 'foh' without finishing with the 'bee-uh' tail. Correct by keeping stress on the third syllable and ensuring the final '-bia' cluster sounds as 'bee-uh' rather than a clipped 'bia'.
In US and UK, the initial 'xen-' is pronounced with a clear 'z' sound, and the second syllable reduces to 'uh' in many casual pronunciations. UK often preserves a slightly crisper 'z' and a longer 'foh' vowel, while US tends to a more relaxed second syllable and a slightly softer ending. AU aligns closely with UK, but may feature a more open final vowel due to Australian vowel shifts.
The difficulty lies in the four-syllable rhythm and the unstressed second syllable 'uh' followed by a stressed 'FOH' vowel, plus the subtle difference between /foʊ/ and /foʊ/ in various accents. Also, the 'x' as /z/ can be tricky for non-native speakers who expect /ks/ or /gz/ combinations. Practice the exact stress pattern and mouthshape for 'foh' to anchor the word.
Some learners wonder if the middle 'no' in xenophobia is pronounced as a distinct syllable or swallowed. It’s not a separate syllable; the word is four syllables: /ˌzɛn.əˈfoʊ.bi.ə/. The middle 'fo' bears the primary stressed vowel (/foʊ/), while the surrounding syllables are lighter. Keeping the secondary /ə/ schwa in the second syllable helps the flow and prevents it from sounding like ‘zeh-noh-foh-bee-uh’.
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Xenophobia comes from the Greek xenos, meaning ‘stranger’ or ‘guest,’ and -phobia, from phobos meaning ‘fear.’ The combine form xenophobia emerged in the late 19th to early 20th century as scholars discussed irrational or unfounded fears toward outsiders. The term gained traction in social science, political discourse, and media studies as debates about immigration, nationalism, and ethnic tensions intensified. Initially used in anthropological and psychological writings, xenophobia expanded into global discourse as researchers tracked how fear of the unfamiliar could justify exclusionary policies and discriminatory behavior. The word’s earliest use is documented in scholarly works addressing social psychology and ethnocentrism, but popularization occurred in public health and political commentary during periods of migration and global conflict. Modern usage often appears in policy discussions, education, and human rights contexts, emphasizing the danger of prejudicial attitudes toward foreign-born individuals, cultural differences, and international mobility. The word remains a pointed critique of hostile or biased reactions to people perceived as other, and is frequently paired with counter-narratives about inclusion and intercultural competence.
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Words that rhyme with "Xenophobia"
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