What does monophobia mean?
Monophobia is an intense or persistent fear of being alone. Unlike a simple preference for company, it can cause significant distress when a person is separated from others or left without companionship. The term is also used more broadly for fear of solitude itself, rather than fear arising only in particular social situations. Monophobia may overlap with social anxiety and other anxiety-related conditions, but those terms describe different patterns and should not be treated as exact equivalents. In the word’s formation, the prefix mono- means “single” or “alone,” while the suffix -phobia means fear. The word is useful when discussing an abnormal or clinically significant response to solitude, though it is more technical than everyday expressions such as “fear of being alone.”
nounAn intense or persistent fear of being alone. It may involve distress about solitude, separation from others, or being without companionship.
- An intense or persistent fear of being alone or of being without companionship.
"Her severe monophobia made even short periods alone feel overwhelming."
"The therapist helped him work through his monophobia and gradually tolerate being by himself."
"Her monophobia was so severe that she refused to stay overnight anywhere unfamiliar."
The plural is used when referring to different forms or cases of monophobia.
"The clinician discussed several monophobias and their possible causes."
Monophobia is not simply a preference for company; it is a fear in which solitude itself can become distressing.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does monophobia come from?
Monophobia combines the combining form mono-, from Greek monos meaning “single” or “alone,” with -phobia, from Greek phobos meaning “fear.” The compound follows the established English pattern of forming names for fears with a prefix describing the feared object or condition. Its close English relatives include phobia and the related Greek-derived forms monomania and monochrome, although their meanings are different.
Related word forms
How monophobia is actually used
Monophobia is a clinical or descriptive term and should not be used as a casual synonym for disliking being alone. It is sometimes distinguished from ordinary loneliness, social anxiety, and a preference for company.
Easily confused with monophobia
Monophobia is an abnormal fear of being alone, whereas xenophobia is an intense dislike or fear of people from other ethnic or cultural groups.