What does technophobic mean?
Technophobic describes a person who strongly distrusts or dislikes technology, particularly new technology and changing digital systems. As an adjective, it can characterize individuals or groups, as well as attitudes and reactions, such as a technophobic response to a new device or online service. Its implications vary with context: it may simply identify discomfort with unfamiliar technology, but it can also suggest stubborn opposition or anxiety about the social consequences of innovation. The rare noun use refers to a person who holds such views. Technophobic became especially useful as computers, internet services, and automated systems became more prominent in everyday life. It is a more precise choice than a general complaint about not understanding machines, while still capturing resistance that may be rational, emotional, or cultural. The related noun technophobia names the broader fear or distrust of technology as a phenomenon.
Having or displaying strong aversion to, distrust of, or resistance to technology, especially new technology.
"The technophobic committee resisted replacing its paper records with a digital archive."
The predominant part of speech. It is commonly used of people, groups, attitudes, and reactions.
A person who strongly distrusts or dislikes technology, especially new technology.
"The survey identified several technophobics who preferred conducting all business in person."
This noun use is much less common than the adjective and normally takes the regular plural technophobics.
The plural is regular but rarely needed because the noun use itself is uncommon.
"The article discussed how technophobics and technophiles approached the new system differently."
Like xenophobic and hydrophobic, technophobic is built on the Greek phobos, meaning fear—here applied to the machinery of modern life.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of technophobic
The modern English word combines technology with the combining form -phobic, which derives from Greek phobos, meaning fear. It developed alongside related forms such as technophobia and technophile, which contrast hostility toward technology with enthusiasm for it. The shared techn- element ultimately comes from Greek tekhnē, meaning art, craft, or skill.
Related word forms
How technophobic is actually used
The adjectival use is much more common than the noun use. It is generally descriptive but can sound dismissive when applied to people who resist unfamiliar systems for practical reasons. Luddite is related in meaning but is often more disparaging and historically specific.
Easily confused with technophobic
Technophobe is the usual noun for a person who fears or distrusts technology, whereas technophobic is primarily an adjective.