germophobenoun [ C ]
also germaphobe /dʒɜː.mə.fəʊb//dʒɜ˞ː.mə.foʊb/someone who has a fear of germs (= small organisms that cause disease) that is so strong that it is not normal or reasonable:
He is a germophobe who must be handed a perfumed wipe after every handshake.
More examples
- The Aviator was a $100m epic by Scorsese on the movie mogul, pioneering aviator and infamous germophobe Howard Hughes.
- You don't want to be a germaphobe, but following basic hygienic principles should minimize the risk of infection.
- The protagonist is a comic bundle of neuroses: he's a germophobe.
- She was a germaphobe, but let the dog sleep in the bed with her, which didn't make sense to me.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Feelings of dislike and hatred
- abhorrence
- abomination
- anathema
- animosity
- animus
- disdain
- disfavour
- disgust
- dislike
- distaste
- ill will
- loathing
- misandry
- misanthrope
- misanthropic
- repulsion
- sore point
- technophobe
- virulence
- vitriol
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Bacteria, moulds, germs & viruses