freak

[ freek ]

See synonyms for: freak freaker freakest freaking on Thesaurus.com

noun

any abnormal phenomenon or product or unusual object; anomaly; aberration.
a person or animal on exhibition as an example of a strange deviation from nature.

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.
Numismatics. an imperfect coin, undetected at the mint and put into circulation.
Philately. a stamp differing from others of the same printing because of creases, dirty engraving plates, etc.: Compare error (def. 8), variety (def. 7).
Slang.
- a person who has withdrawn from normal, rational behavior and activities to pursue one interest or obsession: a drug freak.
- a devoted fan or follower; enthusiast: a baseball freak.
- a hippie.
Archaic. capriciousness; whimsicality.

adjective

unusual; odd; irregular: a freak epidemic.

verb (used with or without object)

to become or to make (someone) insane or out of control, as a result of being frightened, wildly excited, or high on drugs: 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 Phrases

freak out, Slang. See entry at freakout.

Origin of freak

First recorded in 1555–65; 1965–70 for def. 6; perhaps akin to Old English frīcian “to dance”

Other words for freak

3	vagary, quirk, crotchet

See synonyms for freak on Thesaurus.com

Other definitions for freak (2 of 2)

freak²

[ freek ]

verb (used with object)

to fleck, streak, or variegate: great splashes of color freaking the sky.

noun

a fleck or streak of color.

Origin of freak

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

British Dictionary definitions for freak (1 of 2)

freak¹

/ (friːk) /

noun

a person, animal, or plant that is abnormal or deformed; monstrosity
- an object, event, etc, that is abnormal or extremely unusual
- (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 specified: a jazz freak

verb

See freak out

Origin of freak

C16: of obscure origin

British Dictionary definitions for freak (2 of 2)

freak²

/ (friːk) rare /

noun

a fleck or streak of colour

verb

(tr) to streak with colour; variegate

Origin of 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

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