DEFINITIONS
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freak-out

or freak·out

[ freek-out ]
/ ˈfrikˌaʊt /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR freak-out ON THESAURUS.COM

noun Slang.

an act or instance of freaking out.
a person who freaks out.

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Words nearby freak-out

frcvs, freak, freak of nature, freak out, freak show, freak-out, freaking, freakish, freaky, freckle, freckle-faced

Origin of freak-out

First recorded in 1965–70; noun use of verb phrase freak out

Definition for freak out (2 of 2)

Origin of freak

1
1555–65; 1965–70 for def 6; perhaps akin to Old English frīcian to dance

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH freak

freak phreak
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for freak out (1 of 3)

freak out

verb (adverb)

informal to be or cause to be in a heightened emotional state, such as that of fear, anger, or excitement

British Dictionary definitions for freak out (2 of 3)

freak1
/ (friːk) /

noun

a person, animal, or plant that is abnormal or deformed; monstrosity
  1. an object, event, etc, that is abnormal or extremely unusual
  2. (as modifier)a freak storm
a personal whim or caprice
informal a person who acts or dresses in a markedly unconventional or strange way
informal a person who is obsessed with something specifieda jazz freak

verb

See freak out

Word Origin for freak

C16: of obscure origin

British Dictionary definitions for freak out (3 of 3)

freak2
/ (friːk) rare /

noun

a fleck or streak of colour

verb

(tr) to streak with colour; variegate

Word Origin for freak

C17: from earlier freaked, probably coined by Milton, based on streak 1 + obsolete freckt freckled; see freckle
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Idioms and Phrases with freak out

freak out
1

Experience or cause to experience hallucinations, paranoia, or other frightening feelings as a result of taking a mind-altering drug. For example, They were freaking out on LSD or some other drug. [Slang; mid-1960s]

2

Behave or cause to behave irrationally and uncontrollably, with enthusiasm, excitement, fear, or madness. For example, The band's wild playing made the audience freak out, or It was such a close accident, it really freaked me out, or She freaked out and ended up in the psychiatric ward. [Slang; 1960s] Also see flip one's lid; wig out.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.