Chionophobia
/ˌkaɪ.ənəˈfoʊ.bi.ə/noun
An intense or irrational fear of snow.
Did you know?The Greek word for snow, khiōn, is related to English snow and Latin nix, revealing a surprisingly ancient linguistic connection beneath this modern psychological term.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*sniegʷʰ-
“Snow; the reconstructed root behind several ancient words for snow.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
χιών (khiṓn)
“Snow.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
φόβος (phóbos)
“Fear, dread, or terror.”
19th Century
English
-phobia
“A learned English combining form meaning an intense or irrational fear, from Greek phóbos.”
Modern English
English
chionophobia
“A modern compound formed from Greek khiṓn, “snow,” and phóbos, “fear.””