Words / C2

zen-uh-FOHB-ee-uh/ˌzenəˈfəʊbiə/

Xenophobia is a strong fear or hatred of people regarded as foreign. Racism is related but not identical (it centres on race); prejudice is the everyday umbrella. Xenophobic is the adjective. Use the word as a serious charge in analysis, not as a casual insult in a row. In speech, fear or hatred of foreigners is the plain gloss. Teach the collocation xenophobic rhetoric / attitudes, and keep the tone factual when you use it.

Meaning

A strong dislike or fear of people from other countries.

Examples

• “The article criticised xenophobia in the campaign.”
• “The leaflet was withdrawn for xenophobic stereotyping.”
• “Xenophobia can hide in jokes that “are only banter.””

Good to know

Fear/hatred of foreigners. Adjective: xenophobic. Related but not identical: racism. Serious register.

New