Chrometophobia is an exaggerated or irrational fear of money. Sufferers experience undue anxiety even though they realize their fear is irrational. They worry that they might mismanage money or that money might live up to its reputation as “the root of all evil.”

The fear of money is termed chrometophobia or chrematophobia, from the Greek “chrimata” (money) and “phobos” (fear). The “chrome” in “chrometophobia” may also be related to the Greek word “chroma” (color) because of the brilliant colors of ancient coins — for example, gold, silver, bronze and copper.