Xenophobia: Meaning, Examples and Careful Usage

Xenophobia is fear, dislike or hostility towards people perceived as foreign. It is a noun used in discussions of prejudice, exclusion and attitudes towards outsiders. The adjective is xenophobic.

Pronunciation and word form

A common pronunciation is /ˌzen.əˈfəʊ.bi.ə/ in British English and /ˌzen.əˈfoʊ.bi.ə/ in American English, with the main stress on the syllable containing foh. Say the word slowly, then practise it in a complete sentence.

Examples in context

• The school organised a discussion about xenophobia and respect for newcomers.
• The article examined how xenophobia can appear in everyday language.
• The narrator challenges a xenophobic remark rather than repeating it as fact.
• The community group works to challenge xenophobia and welcome new residents.

Related ideas are not identical

Prejudice is a broader term for an unfair preconceived judgement. Discrimination concerns unfair treatment. Racism and xenophobia can overlap, but they are not exact substitutes: xenophobia specifically concerns people perceived as foreign, while racism concerns race. Explain which attitude or action you mean.

The ending -phobia suggests fear, but xenophobia in public discussion can include hostility and prejudice. This vocabulary lesson is not a clinical diagnosis of an individual.

Common sentence patterns

• Challenge xenophobia: oppose or question hostile attitudes towards outsiders.
• A rise in xenophobia: an increase in such attitudes; a factual claim needs supporting evidence.
• Xenophobic language: language that expresses hostility or prejudice towards people perceived as foreign.

Writing practice

Write two sentences about a fictional community project that welcomes newcomers. Use the noun in one sentence and the adjective in another. Describe the behaviour precisely and avoid making unsupported claims about any real person or group.

Reference: Cambridge Dictionary: xenophobia. Examples and practice are original to this lesson.