What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
phobia
Example
She has a phobia of spiders and cannot even look at a picture of one. [phobia: noun]
Example
His phobia of heights prevents him from traveling on airplanes. [phobia: noun]
fear
Example
I have a fear of public speaking, but I try to overcome it by practicing. [fear: noun]
Example
She feared for her safety when walking alone at night. [feared: past tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fear is more commonly used than phobia in everyday language. Fear is a universal human emotion that everyone experiences at some point in their lives, while phobia is a more specialized term used in psychology and medical contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between phobia and fear?
Phobia is a more formal term used in technical and medical contexts, while fear is a versatile word that can be used in both formal and informal situations.
