Meaning & use
ablutophobia
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Meanings
noununcountablemedicalrare
An intense, irrational fear of washing or bathing.
Grammar: Uncountable; used with 'a' or 'the' in general statements, e.g. 'She has ablutophobia.'
Patterns
- have ablutophobia
- suffer from ablutophobia
People with ablutophobia may avoid showers, baths, or even swimming pools.
His ablutophobia became so severe that he refused to wash his hands.
The therapist explained that ablutophobia often begins in childhood after a traumatic experience with water.
noununcountableinformal
An extreme dislike or avoidance of washing, not necessarily a clinical phobia.
Grammar: Used in informal or exaggerated contexts, not as a medical diagnosis.
Patterns
- have ablutophobia
- a case of ablutophobia
After a week of camping, she joked that she had developed ablutophobia.
Some teenagers claim to have ablutophobia just to avoid taking showers.
Common combinations
- severe ablutophobia
- Severe ablutophobia can interfere with basic hygiene.
- suffer from ablutophobia
- He has suffered from ablutophobia since he was a child.
- treat ablutophobia
- Exposure therapy is sometimes used to treat ablutophobia.
- overcome ablutophobia
- With counseling, she was able to overcome her ablutophobia.
Synonyms and how they differ
- washing phobia
- A plain English equivalent, but less precise and not used as a medical term.
Word family
- ablutophobic adjective
- Describing someone who fears washing or bathing.
Commonly confused: ablutophobia or aquaphobia?
ablutophobia vs aquaphobia
Aquaphobia is a fear of water itself, while ablutophobia is specifically a fear of washing or bathing.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'ablutophobia' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Ablutophobia is a fear of washing or bathing, so avoiding showers fits. The other options describe enjoying water or washing, which contradicts the meaning.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “ablutophobia”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.