Skip to main content

Turgidphobia 

(tûr′jĭd-fō′bē-ə)
1. The abnormal, irrational fear of using bombastic words, which compels one to avoid them in communication.
2. The fear of being misunderstood from the usage of bombastic words.
3. An irrational dislike of people who use bombastic words.

This word was created by combining two words 'turgid' and 'phobia', this came by as a result of an observation made of the phenomenon where people know a lot of bombastic words or not so commonly used words in everyday language, but they feel anxious to use the words when communicating for fear of being misunderstood, taken out of context or judged. Instead, they choose to use simple words or the most common words, in order to fit in.

submitted by Senzo Spencer Tsibande
‘Gugu has turgidphobia and therefore prefers to make use of the simplest English words.’

'Spencer had just learned the word pulchritude but was afraid to use it in his class speech and instead he used the word beautiful. He later realized that he had turgidphobia.'
Turgidphobia by Mkhontweni February 6, 2021
Urban Dictionary Merch
Your favorite words on things you can wear, drink from, read, or give to a friend.
The Urban Dictionary Store sells gifts you’ll have to explain.
More from Urban Dictionary
A US deep south term for an alligator. Usually used in the Cajun dialect.
Take the big pirogue, I saw a huge swamp dog out there earlier.
swamp dog by Crystal Ambrose May 22, 2006
Word of the Day on October 12, 2026
Related Words

Throat Sweats 

The feeling and build up in your mouth/throat of saliva that sometimes accompanies nausea.
Oh man those burritos gave me the throat sweats, I hope I don’t have food poisoning.
Throat Sweats by TacoFings420 April 23, 2024
Word of the Day on October 11, 2026
Being ignored by someone when making a statement or asking a question. Also known as blanked and turfed.
Person 1: Did u watch ** last nite?
Person 2:......
Person 3: O no u got aired!
aired by Pietro February 9, 2005
Word of the Day on October 10, 2026

piddlefart

Instead of doing my homework, I decided to piddlefart around for two hours.
piddlefart by Rene April 25, 2005
Word of the Day on October 9, 2026
anyone who succeeds in disgracing/over indulging themselves in the throws of clubland
28 hours and 4 clubs later, gurning for england but still refusing to go home - a total wrongun!!
wrongun by bevvers March 21, 2007
Word of the Day on October 8, 2026

square grouper

Nickname given to bales of marijuana thrown overboard or out of airplanes. Origin is reportedly from members of the US Coast Guard in the area of Southern Florida.
"Base we've got some square groupers floating outside of Miami harbor."
square grouper by slipsheet November 6, 2004
Word of the Day on October 7, 2026
Load more