Kenophobia
/ˌkɛnəˈfoʊbiə/noun
An intense fear of empty or open spaces.
Did you know?Kenophobia is not an ancient Greek diagnosis; it is a modern psychological term formed from classical Greek roots, much like many names used in modern phobia terminology.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*kenh₁-
“A reconstructed root associated with being empty or lacking.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
κενός (kenos)
“Empty, vacant, or deprived of something.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
φόβος (phobos)
“Fear, dread, or panic.”
19th Century
Scientific Greek
-phobia
“A combining form meaning fear or aversion, derived from Greek phobos.”
20th Century
English
kenophobia
“A modern formation meaning fear of empty spaces or emptiness.”
Modern English
English
kenophobia
“An intense fear of empty or open spaces.”
Explore more surprising origins