Claustrophobia

/ˌklɔːstrəˈfəʊbiə/
noun

Fear of small or closed spaces.

She couldn't ride the elevator because of her claustrophobia.
Visual representation of "claustrophobia" - Fear of small or closed spaces

Often appears as...

  • suffer from claustrophobia
  • claustrophobia kicks in
noun

Uncomfortable feeling caused by being in a situation that restricts or could restrict personal freedom.

He felt claustrophobia from the tight control his boss had over his work.
Visual representation of "claustrophobia" - Uncomfortable feeling caused by being in a situation that restricts or could restrict personal freedom

Often appears as...

  • experience claustrophobia
  • claustrophobia sets in
noun

Fear of small or closed spaces.

She couldn't ride the elevator because of her claustrophobia.
Visual representation of "claustrophobia" - Fear of small or closed spaces

Often appears as...

  • suffer from claustrophobia
  • claustrophobia kicks in
noun

Uncomfortable feeling caused by being in a situation that restricts or could restrict personal freedom.

He felt claustrophobia from the tight control his boss had over his work.
Visual representation of "claustrophobia" - Uncomfortable feeling caused by being in a situation that restricts or could restrict personal freedom

Often appears as...

  • experience claustrophobia
  • claustrophobia sets in
Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "claustrophobia"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Literal Meaning

Refers to actual physical spaces, mainly tight or enclosed areas where movement is limited.

Illustration for Literal Meaning
During the cave tour, his claustrophobia became unbearable.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Trigger Variability

It's important to note that what triggers claustrophobia can be very different for each person.

Illustration for Trigger Variability
Small rooms don't bother her, but crowds trigger her claustrophobia.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Metaphorical Use

Sometimes used metaphorically to describe situations that feel restricting or suffocating.

Illustration for Metaphorical Use
He felt a sense of claustrophobia in his desk job.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Literal Meaning

Refers to actual physical spaces, mainly tight or enclosed areas where movement is limited.

Illustration for Literal Meaning
During the cave tour, his claustrophobia became unbearable.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Trigger Variability

It's important to note that what triggers claustrophobia can be very different for each person.

Illustration for Trigger Variability
Small rooms don't bother her, but crowds trigger her claustrophobia.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Metaphorical Use

Sometimes used metaphorically to describe situations that feel restricting or suffocating.

Illustration for Metaphorical Use
He felt a sense of claustrophobia in his desk job.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Literal Meaning

Refers to actual physical spaces, mainly tight or enclosed areas where movement is limited.

Illustration for Literal Meaning
During the cave tour, his claustrophobia became unbearable.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Trigger Variability

It's important to note that what triggers claustrophobia can be very different for each person.

Illustration for Trigger Variability
Small rooms don't bother her, but crowds trigger her claustrophobia.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Metaphorical Use

Sometimes used metaphorically to describe situations that feel restricting or suffocating.

Illustration for Metaphorical Use
He felt a sense of claustrophobia in his desk job.
Visual representation of the word "Claustrophobia"

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Video examples

Why is this painting so...

Falling helplessly as flames lick around her, she too is caught in her own hopeless scene. Each of these figures bordering the painting are horribly trapped, giving the work an acute sense of claustrophobia.

Video examples

Project Aquatone's U-2...

growing nuclear arsenal and it put enormous demands on pilots who had to breathe pure oxygen to survive at such heights. Pilots find the confines of the helmet and face plate conducive to claustrophobia.

Video examples

Why is this painting so...

Falling helplessly as flames lick around her, she too is caught in her own hopeless scene. Each of these figures bordering the painting are horribly trapped, giving the work an acute sense of claustrophobia.

Video examples

Project Aquatone's U-2...

growing nuclear arsenal and it put enormous demands on pilots who had to breathe pure oxygen to survive at such heights. Pilots find the confines of the helmet and face plate conducive to claustrophobia.

Example 1 of 2

Quote examples

Tamara Taylor

Canadian Actress

I recommend people develop a fear of elevators, like I have. Even if something is on the tenth floor, I'm walking up. If you don't have claustrophobia, pretend you do and take the stairs everywhere! It ends up being so healthy!
Portrait of Tamara Taylor

Quote examples

John Madden

American Entertainer

I'm not afraid of flying; I just fear I'm going to die. I think I'm - vulnerable. I admit it. I don't fly. I got claustrophobia. I don't go in high buildings. I don't do those things. I'm just myself, whatever that is.
Portrait of John Madden

Quote examples

James Stockdale

American Soldier

I was tortured fifteen times, that's total submission. They did that with shutting off your blood circulation with ropes, giving you claustrophobia and pain at the same time, bending you double.
Portrait of James Stockdale

Quote examples

Alice Oswald

British Poet

I hate not managing to speak clearly. I really hate it. I get a feeling of claustrophobia - like I'm locked in my own head - if what I've said hasn't reached someone.
Portrait of Alice Oswald

Quote examples

Peter Dinklage

American Actor

Game of Thrones' fans are the nicest people ever, but a thousand nice people coming at me gives me claustrophobia.
Portrait of Peter Dinklage

Quote examples

Gemma Collins

English Celebrity

I've only got to see an animal on TV and I start screaming. I don't like the feeling of claustrophobia either.
Portrait of Gemma Collins

Quote examples

Anna Gunn

American Actress

Going under the water and staying under the water for periods of time gives me claustrophobia.
Portrait of Anna Gunn

Quote examples

Felix Baumgartner

Austrian Athlete

This claustrophobia was the only weakness I had. It's not my fault. It's just in my mind.
Portrait of Felix Baumgartner

Quote examples

Steven Wright

American Comedian

I'm going to get an MRI to find out whether I have claustrophobia.
Portrait of Steven Wright

Quote examples

Ridley Scott

British Director

I wanted 'Alien' to be all about claustrophobia.
Portrait of Ridley Scott

Quote examples

Tamara Taylor

Canadian Actress

I recommend people develop a fear of elevators, like I have. Even if something is on the tenth floor, I'm walking up. If you don't have claustrophobia, pretend you do and take the stairs everywhere! It ends up being so healthy!
Portrait of Tamara Taylor

Quote examples

John Madden

American Entertainer

I'm not afraid of flying; I just fear I'm going to die. I think I'm - vulnerable. I admit it. I don't fly. I got claustrophobia. I don't go in high buildings. I don't do those things. I'm just myself, whatever that is.
Portrait of John Madden

Quote examples

James Stockdale

American Soldier

I was tortured fifteen times, that's total submission. They did that with shutting off your blood circulation with ropes, giving you claustrophobia and pain at the same time, bending you double.
Portrait of James Stockdale

Quote examples

Alice Oswald

British Poet

I hate not managing to speak clearly. I really hate it. I get a feeling of claustrophobia - like I'm locked in my own head - if what I've said hasn't reached someone.
Portrait of Alice Oswald

Quote examples

Peter Dinklage

American Actor

Game of Thrones' fans are the nicest people ever, but a thousand nice people coming at me gives me claustrophobia.
Portrait of Peter Dinklage

Quote examples

Gemma Collins

English Celebrity

I've only got to see an animal on TV and I start screaming. I don't like the feeling of claustrophobia either.
Portrait of Gemma Collins

Quote examples

Anna Gunn

American Actress

Going under the water and staying under the water for periods of time gives me claustrophobia.
Portrait of Anna Gunn

Quote examples

Felix Baumgartner

Austrian Athlete

This claustrophobia was the only weakness I had. It's not my fault. It's just in my mind.
Portrait of Felix Baumgartner

Quote examples

Steven Wright

American Comedian

I'm going to get an MRI to find out whether I have claustrophobia.
Portrait of Steven Wright

Quote examples

Ridley Scott

British Director

I wanted 'Alien' to be all about claustrophobia.
Portrait of Ridley Scott
Example 1 of 10
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