What does anglophobia mean?
Anglophobia refers to a marked dislike, fear, or hostility directed at England, its people, or its culture and institutions. The term emerged in the nineteenth century, when strained relations between Britain and other powers—particularly the United States—made anti-English feeling a subject of public debate, and it has remained in use ever since as a label for prejudice against the English specifically, as distinct from Britons generally. In everyday usage it appears most often in discussions of history, politics, and media portrayals: commentators may describe wartime propaganda, sporting rivalries, or satirical depictions of the English as evidence of Anglophobia. The word carries a largely negative connotation, since it names a form of ethnic or national prejudice, though it is sometimes invoked controversially to characterize criticism of British policies as bigotry. Its natural counterpart is Anglophilia, an affection for English culture, and related terms such as Anglophobe and Anglophobic describe individuals or attitudes shaped by this aversion.
nounAnglophobia is a strong dislike, fear, or hostility toward England, its people, or its culture and institutions. It is the opposite of Anglophilia, an admiration for English things.
- A persistent aversion to, or fear of, England, the English people, or English culture and institutions.
"His outspoken Anglophobia made him an unlikely guest at the embassy's garden party."
"The novelist's memoir traces how wartime propaganda fed a lasting Anglophobia in his family."
"Critics accused the film of pandering to casual Anglophobia with its sneering portrayal of British aristocrats."
Rarely pluralized since the word usually denotes a general attitude rather than countable instances; the plural appears mainly in academic writing comparing different manifestations.
"The study compared anglophobias across different European countries in the interwar period."
The word was coined in the 19th century, when political tensions between Britain and its rivals made 'Anglophobia' a label thrown around in newspapers on both sides of the Atlantic.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of anglophobia
Anglophobia combines the Latin-derived element 'Anglo-', referring to the English (ultimately from the Angles, a Germanic people who settled Britain), with the Greek 'phobos', meaning fear, via the '-phobia' suffix common in scientific and psychological vocabulary. The compound was formed in English during the nineteenth century, paralleling earlier coinages such as Anglophile and later formations like xenophobia. It belongs to a broader family of national-prejudice terms built on the same Greek root.
Related word forms
How anglophobia is actually used
The term is used both descriptively, for genuine prejudice against the English, and polemically, by those who feel criticism of Britain has crossed into bigotry. Because it can be invoked to dismiss legitimate criticism of British policy, careful writers often distinguish reasoned critique from outright hostility.
Easily confused with anglophobia
Anglophilia is fondness or admiration for England and English culture, whereas Anglophobia is dislike or hostility toward them.