freak

¹

[ freek ]

noun

1. any abnormal phenomenon or product or unusual object; anomaly; aberration.
2. a person or animal on exhibition as an example of a strange deviation from nature.
3. a sudden and apparently causeless change or turn of events, the mind, etc.; an apparently capricious notion, occurrence, etc.:

   That kind of sudden storm is a freak.

   Synonyms: crotchet, quirk, vagary

4. Numismatics. an imperfect coin, undetected at the mint and put into circulation.
5. Philately. a stamp differing from others of the same printing because of creases, dirty engraving plates, etc. Compare error ( def 8 ), variety ( def 7 ).
6. Slang.
   1. a person who has withdrawn from normal, rational behavior and activities to pursue one interest or obsession:

      a drug freak.

   2. a devoted fan or follower; enthusiast:

      a baseball freak.

   3. a hippie.
7. Archaic. capriciousness; whimsicality.

adjective

1. unusual; odd; irregular:

   a freak epidemic.

verb (used with or without object)

1. to become or to make (someone) insane or out of control, as a result of being frightened, wildly excited, or high on drugs: The loud noise freaked the horses just as they were being loaded into trailers.

   Mom'll freak if she ever finds out we threw that party when she was out of town.

   The loud noise freaked the horses just as they were being loaded into trailers.

verb phrase

1. Slang. freakout.

freak

²

[ freek ]

verb (used with object)

1. to fleck, streak, or variegate:

   great splashes of color freaking the sky.

noun

1. a fleck or streak of color.

freak

¹

/ friːk /

noun

1. a person, animal, or plant that is abnormal or deformed; monstrosity
2. 1. an object, event, etc, that is abnormal or extremely unusual
   2. ( as modifier )

      a freak storm

3. a personal whim or caprice
4. informal.
   a person who acts or dresses in a markedly unconventional or strange way
5. informal.
   a person who is obsessed with something specified

   a jazz freak

verb

1. See freak out

freak

²

/ friːk /

noun

1. a fleck or streak of colour

verb

1. tr to streak with colour; variegate

Word History and Origins

Origin of freak¹

First recorded in 1555–65; 1965–70 freak ¹fordef 6; perhaps akin to Old English frīcian “to dance”

Origin of freak²

Apparently introduced by Milton in Lycidas (1637), perhaps as blend of freck to mark with spots (perhaps back formation from freckle ) and streak

Word History and Origins

Origin of freak¹

C16: of obscure origin

Origin of freak²

C17: from earlier freaked , probably coined by Milton, based on streak ¹+ obsolete freckt freckled; see freckle

Example Sentences

Most recently, Wilson wrote Thursday that her father is a “delusional and grubby little control freak who hasn’t matured as a person for 38 years.”

From Los Angeles Times

His proxies, like Tucker Carlson and JD Vance, have respectively blamed abortion for causing freak hurricanes or have dismissed climate science as “weird.”

From Salon

Antetokounmpo — frequently referred to by his first name and nicknamed the “Greek Freak” — was born and raised in Athens to Nigerian parents.

From Salon

“It was just a groundswell of popular support and anyone who thinks otherwise is just a freak and a criminal.”

From Salon

The inspirational Mexican immigrant tossed 147 pitches — unheard of today when managers freak out as hurlers reach 100 — and gutted it through the full nine innings for a 5-4 victory.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• freak out
• go mad