variants or germaphobe
plural germophobes or germaphobes
: a person who has an abnormal fear of germs or contamination : one affected with germophobia
No wonder germophobes—including me—are on high alert, viewing every surface as a potentially lethal petri dish. Laura Landro
The stone's actual powers are debatable, but one thing's for sure—the Blarney Stone is a germaphobe's nightmare. Catherine Prince
germophobic adjective
or germaphobic
In a sometimes germophobic society, we spend countless hours and dollars disinfecting surfaces, washing our hands, and taking antibiotics to keep unwelcome bacteria, fungi, and viruses at bay. Jan Suszkiw

Examples of germophobe in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
All the characters add to the overall narrative, but Steve, a germophobe with OCD, stands out. Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 18 Oct. 2024 To pump the return of Tony Shalhoub as a beloved germophobe detective in Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie, the marketing pros at Peacock had plenty of options, especially on the heels of a pandemic. Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Nov. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of germophobe was in 1894

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Cite this Entry

“Germophobe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/germophobe. Accessed 10 Mar. 2025.

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