freak

[ freek ]

/ frik /

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; monster.

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. 8).

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a person who has withdrawn from normal, rational behavior and activities to pursue one interest or obsession: a drug freak.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 make frightened, nervous, or wildly excited: The loud noise caused the horse to freak.

Verb Phrases

freak out, Slang.

to enter into or cause a period of irrational behavior or emotional instability, as under the influence of a drug: to be freaked out on LSD.
to lose or cause to lose emotional control from extreme excitement, shock, fear, joy, despair, etc.: Seeing the dead body freaked him out.

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What does "scattergood" mean?

a person who acts as though he or she knows everything and who dismisses the opinions, comments, or suggestions of others.

a person who spends possessions or money extravagantly or wastefully; spendthrift.

a well-intentioned but naive and often ineffectual social or political reformer.

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Origin of freak

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

SYNONYMS FOR freak

3 vagary, quirk, crotchet.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR freak ON THESAURUS.COM

Definition for freak (2 of 2)

freak²

[ freek ]

/ frik /

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. 2020

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 specifieda jazz freak

verb

See freak out

Word Origin for 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

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

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freak