claustrophobic
gb/klˌɔstɹəfˈoʊbɪk/ us/klˌɔstɹəfˈoʊbɪk/
B2
English
klausztrofóbiás, klausztrofób, fullasztó, fojtogató
B2
1
Usage pattern:
[someone] is/feels claustrophobic (in [place])
I start to feel claustrophobic in crowded elevators.
A zsúfolt liftekben klausztrofóbiásnak kezdem érezni magam.
He was claustrophobic, so he avoided small windowless rooms.
Klausztrofóbiás volt, ezért kerülte a kicsi, ablaktalan szobákat.
She felt claustrophobic once the subway doors closed.
Learner examples
I feel claustrophobic in small rooms.
Klausztrofóbiásnak érzem magam a kis szobákban.
He is claustrophobic.
Ő klausztrofóbiás.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse it with acrophobic (afraid of heights) or use it as a noun (use claustrophobia for the noun).
Meaning
anxious in enclosed spaces
Collocations
feel claustrophobic
|get claustrophobic
|become claustrophobic
|claustrophobic panic
|claustrophobic fear
|claustrophobic in elevators
|claustrophobic on the subway
|slightly claustrophobic
|increasingly claustrophobic
|claustrophobic symptoms
Synonyms
panicky (suggests a sudden strong feeling of fear.)
|
closed-in (emphasizes the sensation of not having enough space.)
Antonyms
comfortable (not feeling anxious in that situation.)
|
calm (not showing fear or panic.)
Themes
emotions
|health
|mental_health
|daily_life
Definition
feeling scared or uncomfortable in a small closed place
Feeling anxious, panicked, or uncomfortable in small or enclosed spaces; affected by claustrophobia.
B2
2
klausztrofób
C1
fullasztó
B2
Usage pattern:
[place/space] is claustrophobic
The hotel room felt claustrophobic because there were no windows.
A hotelszoba klausztrofóbnak hatott, mert nem voltak ablakai.
With all the boxes stacked up, the hallway became claustrophobic.
Az egymásra pakolt sok doboztól a folyosó klausztrofóbbá vált.
The narrow staircase is dark and claustrophobic at night.
Learner examples
This room is claustrophobic.
Ez a szoba klausztrofób.
The car feels claustrophobic.
Az autó klausztrofóbnak érződik.
Common mistake:
Often used for places (a claustrophobic room), not for describing size in a neutral way (use small/tiny for neutral size).
Meaning
uncomfortably small or enclosed
Collocations
claustrophobic room
|claustrophobic apartment
|claustrophobic office
|claustrophobic corridor
|claustrophobic basement
|claustrophobic car
|claustrophobic train carriage
|claustrophobic cabin
|claustrophobic layout
|claustrophobic space
Synonyms
cramped (focuses on not having enough room to move.)
|
confined (emphasizes being enclosed or restricted.)
Antonyms
spacious (having plenty of room.)
|
airy (feeling open with good air and light.)
Themes
daily_life
|homes
|travel
|places
Definition
a place that feels too small and closed
So small, crowded, or enclosed that it makes people feel uncomfortable, trapped, or lacking air and space.
C1
3
klausztrofób
C1
fojtogató
B2
Usage pattern:
a claustrophobic [atmosphere/situation/relationship]
The constant monitoring created a claustrophobic atmosphere at work.
Az állandó megfigyelés klausztrofób légkört teremtett a munkahelyen.
After months of lockdown, she found the routine claustrophobic.
Hónapokig tartó lezárás után fojtogatónak érezte a rutint.
The conversation turned claustrophobic when everyone demanded an immediate answer.
Learner examples
His rules made the house feel claustrophobic.
A szabályai miatt a ház fojtogatónak érződött.
Common mistake:
This figurative use is common, but it still implies a strong feeling of being trapped, not just mild discomfort.
Meaning
oppressive, limiting atmosphere
Collocations
claustrophobic atmosphere
|claustrophobic environment
|claustrophobic situation
|claustrophobic relationship
|claustrophobic routine
|claustrophobic control
|claustrophobic office culture
|claustrophobic small town
|claustrophobic family dynamics
|claustrophobic feeling
Synonyms
oppressive (emphasizes pressure and heaviness, not physical enclosure.)
|
stifling (suggests a suffocating lack of freedom or fresh air (literal or figurative).)
Antonyms
liberating (making you feel freer and less restricted.)
|
open (not restrictive; allowing freedom.)
Themes
emotions
|work
|relationships
|society
Definition
making you feel trapped or not free
Creating a strong sense of restriction or lack of freedom, even if the space is not physically small.
C1
TECHNICAL
4
Usage pattern:
claustrophobic [reaction/symptoms/response]
The clinician noted a claustrophobic reaction during the MRI scan.
A klinikus klausztrofóbiás reakciót észlelt az MRI-vizsgálat során.
They discussed claustrophobic symptoms and possible coping strategies.
Klausztrofóbiás tünetekről és lehetséges megküzdési stratégiákról beszéltek.
The medication reduced her claustrophobic anxiety in confined settings.
Common mistake:
In technical writing, it often modifies a noun (claustrophobic reaction) rather than describing a person directly.
Meaning
relating to claustrophobia
Collocations
claustrophobic reaction
|claustrophobic symptoms
|claustrophobic response
|claustrophobic anxiety
|claustrophobic episode
|claustrophobic triggers
|claustrophobic patients
|claustrophobic sensations
|claustrophobic panic attack
|claustrophobic avoidance
Synonyms
phobic (more general; refers to fears in clinical terms.)
Antonyms
nonphobic (not involving a phobia (clinical contrast).)
Themes
health
|mental_health
|medicine
Definition
connected with the fear of small closed places
Relating to claustrophobia or typical of it, especially in medical or psychological contexts.
Grammar
Dictionary form
claustrophobic
IPA
GB/klˌɔstɹəfˈoʊbɪk/
US/klˌɔstɹəfˈoʊbɪk/
Syllables & stress
claus - tro - phobic (3 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (phobic)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: claustrophobic
Word family
Core family
claustrophobia
noun C1
Related words
claustrophobe
noun
Advanced or less common
claustrophobically
adverb
Expressions
a bit claustrophobic
1/ə bˈɪt klˌɔstɹəfˈoʊbɪk/
fixed phrase
slightly trapped feeling
a little uncomfortable in a small closed place
Examples
- I’m a bit claustrophobic in the back seat of small cars.
- The changing room is a bit claustrophobic, but it’s fine for a minute.
- She felt a bit claustrophobic with the door shut.
Learner examples
- I feel a bit claustrophobic here.
feel claustrophobic
1/fˈil klˌɔstɹəfˈoʊbɪk/
fixed phrase
start to feel trapped
to feel scared or uncomfortable in a small closed place
Examples
- I feel claustrophobic if the windows can’t be opened.
- She began to feel claustrophobic in the packed train.
- Do you ever feel claustrophobic in tunnels?
Learner examples
- I feel claustrophobic in elevators.
get claustrophobic
1/ɡˈɛt klˌɔstɹəfˈoʊbɪk/
fixed phrase
become anxious in tight spaces
to start feeling claustrophobic
Examples
- I get claustrophobic when there are too many people in a small room.
- He gets claustrophobic on long flights if he can’t move around.
- She said she might get claustrophobic during the cave tour.
Learner examples
- I get claustrophobic in crowds.
make someone feel claustrophobic
1/mˈeɪk sˈʌmwˌʌn fˈil klˌɔstɹəfˈoʊbɪk/
fixed phrase
cause a trapped feeling
to make someone feel trapped or nervous
Examples
- The low ceiling makes me feel claustrophobic.
- All the rules at work made her feel claustrophobic.
- Wearing the mask for hours made him feel claustrophobic.
Learner examples
- This small room makes me feel claustrophobic.