geek

[ geek ]

noun

1. a digital-technology expert or enthusiast (a term of pride as self-reference, but often used disparagingly by others).
2. a person who has excessive enthusiasm for and some expertise about a specialized subject or activity:

   a foreign-film geek.

3. a peculiar person, especially one who is perceived to be overly intellectual, unfashionable, or socially awkward.
4. a carnival performer who performs sensationally morbid or disgusting acts, as biting off the head of a live chicken.

verb (used without object)

1. to be overexcited about a specialized subject or activity, or to talk about it with excessive enthusiasm (usually followed by out ):

   I could geek out about sci-fi for hours.

geek

/ ɡiːk /

noun

1. a person who is preoccupied with or very knowledgeable about computing
2. a boring and unattractive social misfit
3. a degenerate

Derived Forms

• ˈgeeky, adjective

Other Words From

• geeky adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of geek¹

First recorded in 1915–20; probably variant of geck (mainly Scots ) “fool,” from Dutch or Low German gek

Word History and Origins

Origin of geek¹

C19: probably variant of Scottish geck fool, from Middle Low German geck

Example Sentences

I was thrilled, it really spoke to me — I felt like I was both a freak and a geek at different times in high school.

From Washington Post

Ironically, they’re two of the most powerful Avengers around, but geek hierarchy dictates their roles would be of the supporting variety in any Avengers movie get-together while big guns threw shields, hammers and fists.

From Washington Post

To get out the vote and fundraise for the 2020 election, she partnered with geek icons like David Tennant of Doctor Who fame and the cast of Supernatural.

From Vox

In the 47 states other than Ohio, Michigan and Louisiana, only the geeks knew anything about him.

From Washington Post

He is the type of geek who loves to explore subjects ranging from Marketing to Lifestyle and Money Saving.

From Search Engine Watch

He grew up both a computer geek in the early days of video games and an avid record collector.

From The Daily Beast

But I was a choir geek, and then got frustrated and took an acting class and realized that was the thing for me.

From The Daily Beast

Every geek in the Free Culture movement had the idea for Kickstarter years before Kickstarter actually existed.

From The Daily Beast

Sure, but I was more of a musical theater geek than a Disney fan.

From The Daily Beast

And the geek, Lionel (Tyler James Williams), is a closeted gay who finds himself alienated by blacks and whites.

From The Daily Beast

A rousing tale of techno-geek rebellion, as necessary and dangerous as file sharing, free speech, and bottled water on a plane.

From Project Gutenberg

"A notorious geek and gull," I said, borrowing from a more distinguished writer.

From Project Gutenberg

When a geek prince hired out as a laborer for a year on Niflheim, he did so for only one purpose—to learn Terran technologies.

From Project Gutenberg

Any question of geek psychology is wide open as far as I'm concerned; the longer I stay here, the less I understand it.

From Project Gutenberg

"I heard what happened, how they found him, and about that geek chamber-valet being arrested," von Schlichten said.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• buffoon
• freak
• nerd
• weirdo

About This Word

What is a geek?

A geek is a person who is an expert or fan of technology and computers, as in He gave the assignment to the geeks in the IT department. 

Geek is also used more generally to refer to someone who is especially passionate or knowledgeable about something, as in Shawna is the biggest Star Trek geek I know, going to all the conventions. 

A geek is also someone who is judged to be too intelligent and socially awkward or just quirky or odd, especially in high school groups, as in At my high school, the geeks got along with the goths but hated the jocks. 

In the past, the word geek was used to refer specifically to a carnival performer who performed disgusting acts. Today, this usage is incredibly rare, and you can use geek as an insult or endearment, especially when describing yourself.

Geek can be used as a verb to mean to express intense enthusiasm about something or to discuss it passionately, as in My friends were all geeking out about the new Spider-Man movie. 

Example: My dad has always been a baseball geek, telling me all of the stats and who the upcoming stars will be.

Where does geek come from?

The first records of geek come from around 1915. It probably comes from a variant of the Scottish geck, meaning “fool,”  from the Low German gek. In the past, geek was used to refer to a performer who would make a fool of themselves for others’ entertainment. Nowadays, the word geek usually describes an intelligent person.

The word geek is very similar to the word nerd, which is often used interchangeably to describe (and be mean to) the same kinds of people. While geek and nerd can still be insults today, when you label yourself as a geek or nerd, it’s a positive description, possibly. You can learn more at “What Are The Differences Between ‘Nerds,’ ‘Geeks,’ And ‘Dorks’?”

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to geek?

• geeky (adjective)

What are some synonyms for geek?

• nerd
• freak
• techie

What are some words that share a root or word element with geek? 

• geekspeak

What are some words that often get used in discussing geek?

• computers
• technology
• enthusiast
• intelligent
• awkward

How is geek used in real life?

Geek is a common word that has a wide usage. Many people proudly identify themselves as geeks, especially if they are fans of or enthusiastic about something. Yet geek is still negatively used to refer to people who are deemed uncool by the speaker or are smart but socially awkward.

Someone’s come to fix our dishwasher and I’m such a geek I’m sitting in the kitchen asking lots of detailed questions about its diagnostic modes.

— Brian Cox (@ProfBrianCox) January 22, 2019

I've started watching the show The Big Bang Theory and love it. I'm finding my inner geek. Actually, who am I kidding- I am a geek :)

— Anne Keothavong (@annekeothavong) March 30, 2011

If you were a bullied geek at school plotting a lifetime revenge on the cool kids, you’ll have a decent and satisfying life as an auditor.

— Marek Zmyslowski (@marekchinedu) October 27, 2017

Try using geek!

True or False?

A comic book geek is a person who is passionate about comic books.