noun
- plural of germaphobe; people who have an excessive fear of germs and contamination
Usage: informal; often used in everyday contexts to describe people with obsessive cleanliness habits
Examples
- Germaphobes often carry hand sanitizer with them everywhere they go.
- During the pandemic, many germaphobes felt validated in their cleaning routines.
- My aunt is one of those germaphobes who washes her hands constantly.
- Germaphobes may avoid public restrooms and prefer to use their own bathrooms.
- Some germaphobes wear gloves when touching doorknobs or handrails.
- The store's increased sanitation measures appealed to germaphobes in the community.