claustrophobia

Everyday

1. A strong fear of being in small, closed or crowded spaces, such as lifts, tunnels or cupboards. tree →
2. (everyday) A feeling of being trapped or squeezed in, even without real fear. tree →

In the lessons

In health and wellbeing lessons it is an example of a phobia — a fear stronger than the danger. In stories it builds tension in caves, tunnels and lifts. People with claustrophobia may feel their heart racing and want to get out. Phrases: «suffer from claustrophobia», «a feeling of claustrophobia». Adjective: «claustrophobic».

Examples

• Grandma has claustrophobia, so she always takes the stairs. tree →
• The narrow cave gave me a touch of claustrophobia. tree →
• People with claustrophobia can find MRI scans hard. tree →
• The crowded train carriage felt claustrophobic. tree →
• Breathing slowly can help with claustrophobia. tree →
• The story's tunnel scene was full of claustrophobia. tree →

Note

Uncountable. Say «klos-truh-FOH-bee-uh». From Latin «claustrum» (closed place) + Greek «phobia» (fear). Opposite fear: agoraphobia (fear of open or crowded public places). A phobia is real and not silly; do not tease people about it.