freak

freak · noun/adjective/verb

imported

Definitions

noun/adjective/verb

  1. 1.

    A person, animal, or thing that is markedly unusual or abnormal.

  2. 2.

    Very unusual, unexpected, or atypical.

  3. 3.

    (informal) To react or behave in a wild, irrational, or excited manner.

  4. 4.

    (informal) A person who is obsessed with or unusually enthusiastic about a specified interest.

  5. 5.

    (informal, dated, sometimes offensive) A person with an unusual physical abnormality, especially as exhibited in a circus.

  6. 6.

    A sudden and unexpected event or action.

Forms

plural: freaks

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    freak out — to become extremely upset, frightened, or excited
  • •
    freak of nature — something highly unusual in nature
  • •
    control freak — someone who needs to control everything
  • •
    freak show — an exhibition of unusual people or things

Related words

Antonyms: normal, typical
See also: freaked, freaking, freaks, freaky
Synonyms: anomaly, enthusiast, fanatic, oddity

Etymology

Of uncertain origin, first recorded in the mid-16th century meaning "a sudden causeless change or turn of the mind." The sense of "abnormality" developed later.