clownophobia

English

Etymology

From clown +‎ -o- +‎ -phobia.

Noun

clownophobia (uncountable)

1. (rare, informal) The fear of clowns.
   • 1997, Ashley Crawford, Ray Edgar, editors, Transit Lounge: An Interface Book from 21.C, North Ryde, →ISBN, page 174:

     A facile, pop-psych explanation would unearth the roots of clownophobia in childhood traumas.

   • 2003, Richard Crouse, The 100 Best Movies You've Never Seen, ECW Press, →ISBN, page 130:

     While most of us see Ronald McDonald as a nice corporate symbol, the 8% of the population that suffers from clownophobia (more properly called coulrophobia) view him as evil incarnate.

   • 2003 December 20, Brian Christgau, “Re: OT -- Clowns... creepy?”, in misc.writing.screenplays‎^[1] (Usenet):

     Seriously, my girlfriend said the exact same thing when I told her she was far from alone in her clownophobia.

Synonyms

• bozophobia (humorous), coulrophobia