What does xenophobia mean?
Xenophobia is a term for intense fear, suspicion, or hostility toward people regarded as foreign or as members of another nation, ethnic group, or culture. It commonly appears in discussions of prejudice against immigrants, refugees, religious minorities, and communities treated as outsiders. The word is more than ordinary dislike: it denotes a social or political attitude that can turn strangers into a suspected threat and justify exclusion or discrimination. It overlaps with racism, but racism specifically centers on race, whereas xenophobia may be directed at nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or cultural origin. In public debate, the term can refer both to an attitude and to actions or policies expressing it, such as harassment, exclusion, or opposition to immigration. Because the word carries a strongly negative moral charge, speakers usually use it to name prejudice rather than legitimate criticism of another society or government. Knowing it helps distinguish a preference for cultural familiarity from a broader fear or hostility aimed at people, and makes clear why xenophobia is treated as a serious social problem rather than merely an unpopular opinion.
nounIntense fear, suspicion, or hostility toward people regarded as foreign or as belonging to another nation, ethnic group, or culture, especially toward immigrants or minorities.
- Intense fear, suspicion, or hostility toward people regarded as foreign or as belonging to another nation, ethnic group, or culture.
"The campaign was designed to counter xenophobia and promote understanding between immigrant communities."
"The newspaper faced criticism for amplifying xenophobia toward refugees."
"Community leaders called for greater education as a way to reduce xenophobia."
Xenophobia is usually uncountable, but the plural xenophobias is used in formal contexts when referring to distinct forms of hostility toward foreign groups.
"The report examines xenophobias directed at immigrants and refugees."
Its Greek roots put a chillingly literal label on the idea: fear of the foreigner.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does xenophobia come from?
Xenophobia combines the Greek xenos, meaning “stranger,” “foreigner,” or “guest,” with phobos, meaning “fear.” The English word dates from the early 20th century and became established for hostility toward foreigners and immigrants. Related words such as xenophile and xenophilia share the Greek xeno- element, while phobia belongs to the same Greek fear-root.
Related word forms
How xenophobia is actually used
Strongly negative and usually formal, political, social, or educational. The term is often used for prejudice against immigrants, refugees, ethnic minorities, or religious minorities, and is more specifically focused on perceived foreignness than general prejudice.
Easily confused with xenophobia
Xenophobia is fear or hostility toward people perceived as foreign, whereas xenophilia is attraction or enthusiasm toward foreign people, cultures, or influences.