What does anglophobe mean?
An anglophobe is a person who feels strong aversion, distrust, or outright hostility toward England, the English people, or English culture and institutions. The word derives from Greek roots: Anglo-, referring to England or the English, combined with -phobe, from the Greek phobos, meaning fear. Its counterpart is the anglophile, someone who admires English customs, history, and character, making these two terms a familiar contrasting pair in discussions of national sentiment. Anglophobe appears most often in formal writing such as journalism, biography, and political commentary, where it may characterize an individual's attitude or, by extension, the stance of a publication or even a nation. Because it describes prejudice rather than mere criticism, the label can be contentious; being called an anglophobe implies bias against the English as a people rather than simple disagreement with their policies. Understanding this word helps readers navigate conversations about cultural attitudes and national stereotypes.
nounA person who has a strong dislike or fear of England, its people, or its culture; more broadly, someone hostile to things English or British.
- A person who dislikes or fears England, English people, or things associated with English culture.
- More broadly, a person hostile to British culture or Britain generally.
"As a lifelong anglophobe, he refused to watch anything produced by the BBC."
"Despite his reputation as an anglophobe, he admitted that English literature held a certain appeal."
"The essayist was widely criticized for sounding like an anglophobe in her scathing review of the film adaptation."
Standard pluralization; simply add -s.
"The newspaper accused its critics of being anglophobes."
The word 'phobe' in anglophobe comes from the Greek god Phobos, whose name literally meant panic and fear.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of anglophobe
Anglophobe combines Anglo-, denoting England or the English, with -phobe, derived from the Greek phobos, meaning fear. The suffix entered English through French forms such as francophone and related terms of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, when coined compound labels for national sympathies and antipathies became fashionable. Its direct counterpart, anglophile, developed alongside it, and both terms reflect a broader pattern of forming words like germanophobe and francophobe to name attitudes toward particular nations. The word thus traces its lineage back through French to ancient Greek roots.
Related word forms
How anglophobe is actually used
Anglophobe is a relatively formal word, typically used in political commentary, journalism, and historical writing rather than everyday conversation. It carries a negative connotation, describing hostility or prejudice toward England, the English people, or English culture. The term is most often applied to individuals but can be extended metaphorically to nations, publications, or institutions perceived as anti-English. It is the direct opposite of anglophile, meaning an admirer of England and things English. In some contexts the word is used loosely to describe anyone critical of British policy, so care should be taken not to conflate genuine dislike of English culture with ordinary political criticism.
Easily confused with anglophobe
An Anglophone is a speaker of English (especially as a native language), whereas an anglophobe dislikes or fears English people and culture — the words sound similar but mean nearly opposite things.