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 a person who has withdrawn from normal, rational behavior and activities to pursue one interest or obsession.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

That is until Maia and Alani ignore a sign to stay downstairs and find him hiding out in his bedroom watching YouTube videos on a big TV; the latter freaks out and leaves the room.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Palmer is the latest in a list of players who have been hit by freak injuries away from football:

Read more on BBC

“He showed me a freaking clip,” the caller said in the 911 audio recording obtained by The Times.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He hasn’t blinked this entire time, which is freaking me out.

Read more on Literature

“Everybody was just totally freaked out,” she said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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