Trypophobia
/ˌtrɪpəˈfoʊbiə/noun
An intense aversion or fear of closely grouped holes, bumps, or similar visual patterns.
Did you know?Trypophobia is widely discussed online but is not currently recognized as a distinct diagnosis in major psychiatric classification systems.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
τρυπή (trypḗ)
“A hole, opening, or perforation”
Ancient Greek
Greek
τρυπᾶν (trypân)
“To pierce, bore, or make a hole”
Ancient Greek
Greek
τρύπανον (trýpanon)
“A borer or drilling instrument”
Middle English
English
trepan
“A surgical instrument used to cut or bore into the skull”
20th Century
Modern Greek-derived English
-phobia
“A combining form meaning fear or aversion, from Greek phóbos”
2005
English
trypophobia
“A modern internet-era formation meaning fear or aversion to holes or clustered patterns”
Modern English
English
trypophobia
“Intense discomfort or fear triggered by clustered holes, bumps, or repetitive visual patterns”
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