Basic Details
Word: Xenophobia
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: A fear or dislike of people from other countries or cultures.
Synonyms: Racial intolerance, prejudice
Antonyms: Acceptance, tolerance
Idioms and Phrases
- Fear of the unknown: Used to describe being scared of things that are unfamiliar, often including different cultures or people. Example: "His xenophobia was rooted in a fear of the unknown, making him hesitant to meet new friends from abroad."
- Different strokes for different folks: This means that different people have different preferences or ways of living. Example: "Not everyone enjoys the same food; different strokes for different folks, and that's what makes us unique."
Usage Examples
Example 1: Xenophobia can cause division in a community, leading to misunderstandings and conflicts.
Example 2: Educating people about different cultures can help reduce xenophobia and promote acceptance.
Example 3: Many people work hard to combat xenophobia by fostering friendships across cultural lines.
Fun Fact
The term "xenophobia" comes from the Greek words "xenos," meaning "foreigner" or "stranger," and "phobos," meaning "fear." This highlights the fear often associated with encountering those who are different from oneself.
Famous Quote
"In a multicultural society, the solution to xenophobia is to cultivate empathy and understanding, because differences are opportunities for learning." - Unknown
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "xenophobia" mean?
a) Love for one's country
b) A fear of heights
c) A fear of people from other cultures
d) A fear of animals
Answer: c) A fear of people from other cultures
2. Which of these is a synonym of "xenophobia"?
a) Acceptance
b) Racial intolerance
c) Friendship
d) Understanding
Answer: b) Racial intolerance
3. Which word is an antonym of "xenophobia"?
a) Resentment
b) Acceptance
c) Hatred
d) Bias
Answer: b) Acceptance
4. Which sentence uses "xenophobia" correctly?
a) Rather than embracing diversity, his xenophobia led him to avoid community events.
b) The xenophobia was enjoyed by everyone.
c) The artist created a xenophobia to express her feelings.
d) Xenophobia is easily fixed by ignoring it.
Answer: a) Rather than embracing diversity, his xenophobia led him to avoid community events.
5. Which idiom means the same as "xenophobia"?
a) Fear of the unknown
b) All's fair in love and war
c) A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
d) The grass is greener on the other side
Answer: a) Fear of the unknown
