Gymnophobia
/ˌdʒɪmnəˈfoʊbiə/noun
An abnormal fear of nudity or naked people.
Did you know?It comes from Greek gymnós, meaning “naked,” the same root behind “gymnasium,” because ancient athletes trained and competed without clothes.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
gymnós
“naked, unclothed”
Ancient Greek
Greek
phóbos
“fear, panic, terror”
19th Century
English
gymnophobia
“fear of nudity or being seen naked”
Modern English
English
gymnophobia
“an abnormal fear of nudity”
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