arachnophobia
noun
arach·no·pho·bia ə-ˌrak-nə-ˈfō-bē-ə 
: pathological fear or loathing of arachnids and especially spiders
Large spiders like the huntsman can be intimidating to the uninitiated and downright terrifying to people who suffer from arachnophobia.
Sherry Boas
Sherry Boas arachnophobe
ə-ˈrak-nə-ˌfōb
noun arachnophobic
ə-ˌrak-nə-ˈfō-bik
adjective or noun 
Did you know?
In Greek mythology, Arachne was a weaver of such skill that she dared to challenge the goddess Athena at her craft. When she won their competition by weaving a tapestry disrespectful to the gods, the enraged Athena tore it to shreds, and in despair Arachne hanged herself. Out of pity, Athena loosened the rope, which became a cobweb, and changed Arachne into a spider. Today, the spiders, scorpions, mites, and ticks all belong to the class known as arachnids. Arachnophobia is the most common of the animal phobias; but many people suffer from similar phobias regarding snakes (ophidiophobia), dogs (cynophobia), and mice and rats (musophobia).
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Dad Sylvester Stallone couldn't hold back his excitement as his daughter, 25, confronted her arachnophobia in a video posted to Instagram Sunday, in which Sophia let a tarantula crawl on her arm. Breanna Bell, PEOPLE.com, 1 Aug. 2022 However, with its early access release on Xbox Game Pass and Steam, Obsidian announced an arachnophobia mode, letting spider-averse players experience the game safely. Elise Favis, Washington Post, 30 July 2020 In one experiment, people with arachnophobia went through a weeklong exposure therapy course. Adam Grant, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2020 Examples: acrophobia, the fear of heights; arachnophobia, the fear of spiders. Kayla Webley Adler, Marie Claire, 8 July 2019 Even entomologists themselves can fall prey to arachnophobia. Matt Bertone, Philly.com, 30 May 2018 Even entomologists themselves can fall prey to arachnophobia. Matt Bertone, Philly.com, 30 May 2018 Even entomologists themselves can fall prey to arachnophobia. Matt Bertone, Philly.com, 30 May 2018 Even entomologists themselves can fall prey to arachnophobia. Matt Bertone, Philly.com, 30 May 2018 See More
Breanna Bell, PEOPLE.com, 1 Aug. 2022 However, with its early access release on Xbox Game Pass and Steam, Obsidian announced an arachnophobia mode, letting spider-averse players experience the game safely. Elise Favis, Washington Post, 30 July 2020 In one experiment, people with arachnophobia went through a weeklong exposure therapy course. Adam Grant, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2020 Examples: acrophobia, the fear of heights; arachnophobia, the fear of spiders. Kayla Webley Adler, Marie Claire, 8 July 2019 Even entomologists themselves can fall prey to arachnophobia. Matt Bertone, Philly.com, 30 May 2018 Even entomologists themselves can fall prey to arachnophobia. Matt Bertone, Philly.com, 30 May 2018 Even entomologists themselves can fall prey to arachnophobia. Matt Bertone, Philly.com, 30 May 2018 Even entomologists themselves can fall prey to arachnophobia. Matt Bertone, Philly.com, 30 May 2018 See More Word History
First Known Use
1863, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
arachnophobia
noun
arach·no·pho·bia ə-ˌrak-nə-ˈfō-bē-ə
: pathological fear or loathing of arachnids and especially spiders