Meanings
- uncountableThe fear of darkness.
When I was little, I had achluophobia and had to sleep with some kind light, any kind of light.
2013, Chris Island, Gunny's Short Stories and Life Lessons, Trafford Publishing, →ISBN, page 562 more examples
If you have a severe case of achluophobia (fear of the dark), for instance, you may want to wait at the mouth of the cave.
2007, Dave Smith, Backcountry Bear Basics: The Definitive Guide to Avoiding Unpleasant Encounters, The Mountaineers Books, →ISBNI'm not exactly sure when I was diagnosed with achluophobia—the fear of darkness—but I've always been afraid to be left alone in the dark.
2013, Si Robertson, Si-cology 1: Tales and Wisdom from Duck Dynasty’s Favorite Uncle, Howard Books, →ISBN, page 37Synonyms: nyctophobia, scotophobia
Synonyms & antonyms
nounThe fear of darkness.
Origin
- Ancient Greekἀχλύς“darkness”
- Englishachluophobia
From Ancient Greek ἀχλύς (akhlús, “darkness”) and -phobia.
More words from Ancient Greek
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
achluophobia. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/achluophobia
“achluophobia.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/achluophobia. Accessed November 3, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “achluophobia,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/achluophobia.
Source: achluophobia on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.