The Greek akron means "height" or "summit", and the acro- root can be seen in such words as acrobat and Acropolis. Almost everyone has some fear of heights, but an abnormal dread of high places, along with the vertigo (dizziness) that most acrophobes also experience, are common as well; in fact, acrophobia is one of the half-dozen most common recognized phobias. Acrophobia and claustrophobia both play a role in another well-known phobia: the fear of flying, itself often known as aerophobia.
“Acrophobic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acrophobic. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.
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