speed freak

or speed·freak

[ speed freek ]

noun

, Slang: Disparaging and Offensive.

1. a person who habitually uses or is addicted to amphetamines, methamphetamines, or similar stimulating drugs.

Word History and Origins

Origin of speed freak¹

First recorded in 1965–70; speed ( def ) (in the sense “stimulating drug”) + freak ¹ (in the sense “person who pursues an obsession”)

Example Sentences

The Adderall the doctor prescribed for my potential ADD turned me into a speed freak for 24 hours, proving I didn't have attention-deficit disorder.

From Salon

It made me feel like a speed freak, so I threw those pills away.

From Salon

So the book is on different types of drugs, too: there's the more psychedelic moments, there's the narcotized moments where it slows down into a heroin experience, and there's the speed freak moments.

From Salon

“There was a lot of fun in seeing Han as a speed freak and the Millennium Falcon as the machine that he immediately connects with.”

From New York Times

My dad is a gear head and speed freak; some of my earliest memories are of his taking us to drag-racing time trials and to watch unlimited hydroplanes taking flight in Miami Marine Stadium.

From New York Times