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 a person who has withdrawn from normal, rational behavior and activities to pursue one interest or obsession.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

The most notable addition to the story is a sequence depicting the Phantom’s humiliating past as part of a freak show—a clever innovation that slightly humanizes this opaque character.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Rare flowers spring up in Chilean desert after freak rains.

Read more on MarketWatch

In Dan Chaon’s novel, a pair of psychically gifted twins find a home, of sorts, among a crew of circus freaks.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

I do not come from money and having a larger sum sitting there freaks me out.

Read more on Barron's

“We all knew it was an ad, right? No, I think most people that text me are also aware that it’s probably an ad, so it wasn’t. … Nobody was freaking out.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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