How to pronounce claustrophobia
Say it like klaw-struh-FOH-bee-uh. Claustrophobia has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (FOH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce claustrophobia. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- klaw
- struh
- FOH
- bee
- uh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Claustrophobia pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- klawGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- struhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- FOHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- beeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of claustrophobia
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: klos-truh-FOH-bee-uh.
What does claustrophobia mean?
- The abnormal fear of closed, tight places.
Where does claustrophobia come from?
From Latin claustrum (“a shut-in place”), from Latin claudō (“to shut, close; to imprison, confine”) + -phobia.
Words that rhyme with claustrophobia
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of claustrophobia.
Questions about saying claustrophobia
How do you pronounce claustrophobia?
Say klaw-struh-FOH-bee-uh. The American pronunciation is /ˌklɔstrəˈfoʊbiə/. In British English it is /ˌklɒstrəˈfəʊbiə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in claustrophobia?
Claustrophobia has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (FOH). Broken into parts: klaw · struh · FOH · bee · uh.
Is claustrophobia pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˌklɒstrəˈfəʊbiə/ (klos-truh-FOH-bee-uh).