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.

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 a person who has withdrawn from normal, rational behavior and activities to pursue one interest or obsession.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. freak out,  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 ¹ for def. 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

Because my audience is all freaks, but I need nonfreaks to see it so they can feel freaky for an hour.

From Los Angeles Times

No, this all reads very much as what fascist freaks think looks “human” to the normies.

From Salon

“That was so much more than a number. It connected the moment to one six decades earlier. It connected Cal Ripken to freaking Lou Gehrig. It evokes memories and emotions unlike numbers in any sport.”

From Los Angeles Times

Set in 1915, the story features twins who escape the clutches of a serial killer and find a haven among a group of so-called “circus freaks,” including a two-headed woman and dog-faced boy.

From Los Angeles Times

"Here it's a pattern. It's no longer a freak accident," he said of school shootings in the US.

From BBC

Related Words

• addict 
• buff 
• devotee 
• enthusiast 
• fanatic 
• fiend 
• maniac 
• nut