claustrophobic
gb/klˌɔstɹəfˈoʊbɪk/ us/klˌɔstɹəfˈoʊbɪk/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
state
1
anxious in enclosed spaces
feeling scared or uncomfortable in a small closed place
Usage pattern:
[someone] is/feels claustrophobic (in [place])
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse it with acrophobic (afraid of heights) or use it as a noun (use claustrophobia for the noun).
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.)
Collocations
feel claustrophobic
|get claustrophobic
|become claustrophobic
|claustrophobic panic
|claustrophobic fear
|claustrophobic in elevators
|claustrophobic on the subway
|slightly claustrophobic
|increasingly claustrophobic
|claustrophobic symptoms
Themes
emotions
|health
|mental_health
|daily_life
Examples
- I start to feel claustrophobic in crowded elevators.
- He was claustrophobic, so he avoided small windowless rooms.
- She felt claustrophobic once the subway doors closed.
Learner examples
- I feel claustrophobic in small rooms.
- He is claustrophobic.
adjective
B2
property
2
uncomfortably small or enclosed
a place that feels too small and closed
Usage pattern:
[place/space] is claustrophobic
Common mistake:
Often used for places (a claustrophobic room), not for describing size in a neutral way (use small/tiny for neutral size).
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.)
Collocations
claustrophobic room
|claustrophobic apartment
|claustrophobic office
|claustrophobic corridor
|claustrophobic basement
|claustrophobic car
|claustrophobic train carriage
|claustrophobic cabin
|claustrophobic layout
|claustrophobic space
Themes
daily_life
|homes
|travel
|places
Examples
- The hotel room felt claustrophobic because there were no windows.
- With all the boxes stacked up, the hallway became claustrophobic.
- The narrow staircase is dark and claustrophobic at night.
Learner examples
- This room is claustrophobic.
- The car feels claustrophobic.
adjective
C1
property
3
oppressive, limiting atmosphere
making you feel trapped or not free
Usage pattern:
a claustrophobic [atmosphere/situation/relationship]
Common mistake:
This figurative use is common, but it still implies a strong feeling of being trapped, not just mild discomfort.
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.)
Collocations
claustrophobic atmosphere
|claustrophobic environment
|claustrophobic situation
|claustrophobic relationship
|claustrophobic routine
|claustrophobic control
|claustrophobic office culture
|claustrophobic small town
|claustrophobic family dynamics
|claustrophobic feeling
Themes
emotions
|work
|relationships
|society
Examples
- The constant monitoring created a claustrophobic atmosphere at work.
- After months of lockdown, she found the routine claustrophobic.
- The conversation turned claustrophobic when everyone demanded an immediate answer.
Learner examples
- His rules made the house feel claustrophobic.
adjective
technical
C1
property
4
relating to claustrophobia
connected with the fear of small closed places
Usage pattern:
claustrophobic [reaction/symptoms/response]
Common mistake:
In technical writing, it often modifies a noun (claustrophobic reaction) rather than describing a person directly.
Synonyms
phobic (more general; refers to fears in clinical terms.)
Antonyms
nonphobic (not involving a phobia (clinical contrast).)
Collocations
claustrophobic reaction
|claustrophobic symptoms
|claustrophobic response
|claustrophobic anxiety
|claustrophobic episode
|claustrophobic triggers
|claustrophobic patients
|claustrophobic sensations
|claustrophobic panic attack
|claustrophobic avoidance
Themes
health
|mental_health
|medicine
Examples
- The clinician noted a claustrophobic reaction during the MRI scan.
- They discussed claustrophobic symptoms and possible coping strategies.
- The medication reduced her claustrophobic anxiety in confined settings.
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.
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?
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.
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.