Meanings
- rareuncountableThe fear of getting wrinkles.
Now, rhytiphobia, the fear of getting wrinkles, is a phobia that I can understand. Although I have been using moisturizer on my face for years, I still have those fine and not-so-fine lines appearing.
2013 October 30, Suzanne Johnson, “Beyond the office door: Phobias”, in Washburn County Register, volume 125, number 11, page 82 more examples
“If you don't stop hassling Richelle about being late, she’ll develop chronomeatrophobia^([sic]) – fear of clocks,” said Tom proudly. “To go with her rhytiphobia.” ¶ “What’s that?” I snapped. I had to know. ¶ “Fear of getting wrinkles,” he sighed happily. He’d been dying for me to ask.
1996, Emily Rodda, “Piece by piece” (chapter 12), in Dirty Tricks (Raven Hill Mysteries; 5), New York, N. Y.: Scholastic Inc., published July 2006, →ISBN, page 67Under the roof of the arcade, supported by baffling formations, and relieving arches, even wizened people, the old, the dowager, the snowy-haired, the senile and doddering, would be healthy, active, and vigorous. Sprightly and spry. Rhytiphobia, fear of wrinkles, could be forgotten. This gave rise to dancing and dinner parties, and fun and gaiety.
2022, Steven T. Pankey, chapter 15, in The Red Palace Train, Pittsburgh, Pa.: Dorrance Publishing Co, →ISBN, page 155
Origin
- Ancient Greekῥῠτῐ́ς“wrinkle”
- Englishrhytiphobia
Borrowed from Ancient Greek ῥῠτῐ́ς (rhŭtĭ́s, “wrinkle”) + -phobia.
More words from Ancient Greek
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
rhytiphobia. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/rhytiphobia
“rhytiphobia.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/rhytiphobia. Accessed November 4, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “rhytiphobia,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/rhytiphobia.
Source: rhytiphobia on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.