What the word freak means

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Not to be confused with Phreak.

A freak is a person who is physically deformed or transformed due to an extraordinary medical condition or body modification. This definition was first attested with this meaning in the 1880s as a shorter form of the phrase «freak of nature», itself a broader term meaning «whimsy or caprice of nature», attributed at least as far back as 1847.[1] The term’s original neutral connotation became entirely negative during the 20th century; therefore, freak with its literal meaning of «abnormally developed individual» is viewed purely as a pejorative today.[2][3] However, the term is also recently used playfully to refer to an enthusiast or obsessive person.

Usage

Freak saw usage as jargon by promoters and performers of freak shows, though its use in this sense has decreased along with the popularity of freak shows.[4] One well-known example of this word was in reference to Joseph Merrick, the «Elephant Man.»[5] As a jargon, side-show freaks were classified into two groups: natural freaks and self-made freaks.[6] A natural freak would usually have been born with a genetic abnormality, while a self-made freak was a person who was altered artificially (with methods such as surgical implants).

The term has a variety of much more recent meanings. An example is something strikingly unusual about one’s appearance or behavior. This usage originated from «freak scene» during the 1960s and 1970s, most famously promoted by the album Freak Out! made by the rock band The Mothers of Invention.

A recent usage of freak is as a synonym for enthusiast, such as a health freak[7]; or referring to obsessive behavior, such as control freak.[8]

In science

Freak is used in science to describe plants and animals with a genetic mutation.[9][10]

See also

  • Ableism
  • Deviance (sociology)
  • Social rejection
  • Teratology

References

  1. ^ «freak». Oxford English Dictionary (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. (Subscription or participating institution membership required.)
  2. ^ Sherman, Howard (26 September 2014). «‘Freak’ is a slur and ‘Freak Show’ is propagating it. Disabled people deserve better». The Guardian.
  3. ^ Chemers, M (2008). Staging Stigma: A Critical Examination of the American Freak Show. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. p. 7. ISBN 978-0-230-61066-8.
  4. ^ The Rise and Fall of Circus Freakshows https://priceonomics.com/the-rise-and-fall-of-circus-freakshows/
  5. ^ Joseph Merrick at the Encyclopædia Britannica
  6. ^ Stephens, Elizabeth (2005). «Twenty-First Century Freak Show: Recent Transformations in the Exhibition of Non-Normative Bodies». Disability Studies Quarterly. 25 (3). doi:10.18061/dsq.v25i3.580. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  7. ^ For example, in the name of the British television show, Teenage Health Freak.
  8. ^ Harper, Douglas. «freak». Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved 2020-04-01.
  9. ^ «Human and animal freaks of nature». New Scientist. 7 January 2009.
  10. ^ Whitfield, John (January 2009). «Freaks are forcing scientists to rethink evolution». New Scientist. 201 (2690): 42. Bibcode:2009NewSc.201…42W. doi:10.1016/S0262-4079(09)60103-2.
Источник

most people think that if you are different you are a freak. I’ve been called a freak for as long as I can remember. weirdo is another word that people like to use. what most people don’t realize is when you call someone a freak, you’re saying that they’re unique, and there’s no one else like them. a lot of people think that being a freak is a bad thing. it’s not. it’s a title to wear like a badge of honor. to outer darkness with all of the people who think freaks are not worth anything! we are still people. we have value. freak = weirdo = unique. love you for you. if you are different than others and you feel like you are better of, dead. don’t you fridge’n dare. you are a beautiful and unique person and a lot of people love you.

kid one: *walking down the hallway*

kid two: *walks toward them and «accidentally» bumps into them*

kid one: *hisss!*

kid two: «what are you a cat? you’re such a freak.

Get the Freak mug.

Источник

Jennifer:

Hi, and welcome to The English We Speak. I’m Jennifer and with me today is Feifei.

Привет и добро пожаловать на передачу «Английский язык, на котором мы говорим». Меня зовут Дженнифер, и сегодня со мной Фейфей.

Feifei:

Hi there.

Всем привет.

Jennifer:

Why do you have that big bag with you?

Зачем тебе эта огромная сумка?

Feifei:

Oh this? I’m going to the gym after work.

Вот эта? Я иду в спортзал после работы.

Jennifer:

Again? But you went yesterday, and the day before that!

Опять? Но ты уже ходила туда и вчера, и позавчера!

Feifei:

I need to push myself! I want to get fit.

Мне необходимо себя заставлять! Я хочу быть в форме.

Jennifer:

You’re such a fitness freak.

Ты такой фитнес-маньяк.

Feifei:

Hey, that’s not very nice. What do you mean, I’m a ‘fitness freak‘? You’re calling me some kind of strange monster?

Эй, это не очень вежливо. Что значит, я «фитнес-маньяк«? Ты хочешь сказать, что я какое-то странное чудовище?

Jennifer:

I’m not calling you a monster, that’s not what the word ‘freak‘ means in this context. In English, you can use the word ‘freak‘ with a noun to say that someone is obsessed by something which you think is strange.

Я не называла тебя чудовищем, это совсем не то, что подразумевает слово «freak«. В английском языке мы можем употреблять слово «freak» вместе с существительными, чтобы описать человека, помешанного на чем-то, что нам кажется странным.

Feifei:

So when you call me a ‘fitness freak’, you’re saying I’m obsessed by sport and fitness?

То есть, когда ты назвала меня «фитнес-маньяком», ты имела в виду, что я помешана на спорте и фитнесе?

Jennifer:

That’s right. It’s an informal phrase, usually used if the person saying it is not interested in the hobby or action. So someone might be a ‘football freak’ if they’re watching football. My boyfriend is a ‘car freak’ – he’s obsessed with cars and talking about them, but I’m not interested at all, I think it’s weird.

Совершенно точно. Это разговорное выражение, обычно означающее, что человек, который его употребляет, не особенно заинтересован в этом деле или хобби. То есть, кого-то можно назвать «футбольным маньяком» (football freak), если он все время смотрит футбол. Мой парень – «автомобильный маньяк» (car freak), он помешан на машинах и все время о них говорит, но мне совсем не интересно, и я считаю это странным.

Feifei:

I understand. Well you might call me a fitness freak, because you don’t like it. I’d say I’m a fitness fanatic!

Я поняла. Хорошо, ты можешь называть меня фитнес-маньяком, потому что тебе не нравится ходить в спортзал. Я считаю, что я фитнес-фанатик!

Jennifer:

Well, I have no intention of going to the gym today or any day. I don’t like it and the thought of using the equipment really freaks me out.

Ну, я не собираюсь в спортзал ни сегодня, ни когда-либо еще. Мне это не нравится, и меня пугает (freak me out) одна мысль о тренажерах.

Feifei:

Hang on, you’ve used the word freak again.

Погоди, ты снова сказала «freak».

Jennifer:

Yes, in a slightly different way. ‘To freak someone out’ is a phrasal verb which means to make someone feel strong emotions, like panic or fear. Going to the gym freaks me out; it makes me panic.

Да, в несколько другом значении. «To freak someone out» – это фразовый глагол, который означает «вызывать сильные эмоции«, такие, как паника или страх. Я боюсь ходить в спортзал (going to the gym freaks me out); он вызывает у меня панику.

Feifei:

It freaks you out! You need to toughen up. I really do think you should come and join me for a gym session tonight.

Это вызывает у тебя панический страх (it freaks you out)! Тебе нужно окрепнуть. Я правда считаю, что тебе стоит пойти со мной на тренировку сегодня вечером.

Jennifer:

No way! I’m too scared and too tired. I’d rather lie on the sofa and watch my favourite soap opera.

Ни за что! Мне страшно, и я очень устала. Я лучше лягу на диван и буду смотреть свою любимую мыльную оперу.

Feifei:

Well, I think that people who sit around and watch television every night are very strange – so I guess you’re a television freak! Join us again for another edition of The English We Speak from BBC.

Ну, а мне кажется, что люди, которые каждый вечер садятся и смотрят телевизор, очень странные – так что ты, наверное, телевизионный маньяк! Присоединяйтесь к нам снова в следующем выпуске передачи «Английский язык, на котором мы говорим» на BBC.

Both:

Bye!

Пока!

  • Примечание

Freak – не единственное слово для обозначения человека, помешанного на чем-то или на каком-то деле. В разделе «Английские слова и выражения в рассказах и диалогах» на нашем сайте можно узнать о выражении «be potty about something», которое означает то же самое.

Страницы:

Указатель изучаемых английских слов и словосочетаний:

A, B
C, D
E, F
G, H
I, J
K, L
M, N
O, P
Q, R
S, T
U, V
W, X
Y, Z

Источник
freak
I

1. причуда; чудачество, каприз

out of mere freak — из чистой прихоти

by some strange freak a little snow fell in Egypt — по какому-то капризу природы в Египте выпало немного снега

2. 1) уродец (

freak of nature)

this calf is a freak, it has two tails — этот телёнок — монстр, у него два хвоста

2) урод, чудище, посмешище

1) чудак

2) хиппи

1) наркоман

2)

фанатик; помешанный на чём-л.

film freak — киноман

3) педераст, «гомик»

5.

ненормальный ход процесса

6.

внезапное прекращение восстановление радиоприёма

аномальный, странный; причудливый

freak weather — капризная погода; погода не по сезону

freak storm — неожиданно налетевшая буря

freak results — случайный приём отдалённых (коротковолновых) станций

1. капризничать; чудить; дурачиться

1) приходить в возбуждение (

от наркотика)

2) приводить в возбуждение, ярость

II

цветная полоска; яркое пятнышко

покрывать яркими пятнышками полосками; испещрять

Новый большой англо-русский словарь.
2001.

Полезное

Смотреть что такое «freak» в других словарях:

  • freak — freak …   Dictionnaire des rimes

  • Freak — Freak …   Deutsch Wörterbuch

  • freak — [ frik ] n. • 1966; mot angl. amér. « monstre » ♦ Anglic. Jeune refusant les valeurs de la société bourgeoise sans pour autant appartenir à un mouvement. Spécialt Toxicomane qui consomme des drogues dures. ⊗ HOM. Fric. ● freak nom masculin… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • freak — freak·ish; freak; freak·ery; freak·i·ness; freak·ing; freak·ish·ly; freak·ish·ness; …   English syllables

  • freak — freak1 [frēk] n. [Early ModE < ? OE frician, to dance (> ME freking, whim, capricious conduct)] 1. a) a sudden fancy; odd notion; whim b) an odd or unusual happening 2. any abnormal animal, person, or plant; monstrosity ☆ 3. Slang …   English World dictionary

  • freak — (n.) 1560s, sudden turn of mind, of unknown origin, perhaps related to O.E. frician to dance (not recorded in M.E., but the word may have survived in dialect) [OED, Barnhart], or perhaps from M.E. frek bold, quickly, from O.E. frec greedy,… …   Etymology dictionary

  • freak|y — «FREE kee», adjective. freak|i|er, freak|i|est, noun, plural freak|ies. –adj. 1. = freakish. (Cf. ↑freakish) …   Useful english dictionary

  • Freak — Freak, v. i. 1. to react with irrationality or extreme emotion; to lose one s composure; often used in the phrase {freak out}. [PJC] 2. to become irrational or to experience hallucinations under the influence of drugs; often used in the phrase… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Freak — Freak, n. [Prob. from OE. frek bold, AS. frec bold, greedly; akin to OHG. freh greedly, G. frech insolent, Icel. frekr greedy, Goth. fa[ i]hufriks avaricious.] 1. A sudden causeless change or turn of the mind; a whim of fancy; a capricious prank; …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • freak — s.m. e f.inv. ES ingl. {{wmetafile0}} appartenente a un movimento giovanile degli anni Settanta che esprimeva il distacco critico dalla società attraverso un abbigliamento stravagante e un comportamento individualista e anticonvenzionale; anche… …   Dizionario italiano

  • freak — [n1] something, someone very abnormal aberration, abortion, anomaly, chimera, curiosity, geek*, grotesque, malformation, miscreation, misshape, monster, monstrosity, mutant, mutation, oddity, queer, rarity, sport, weirdo*; concepts 424,580 Ant.… …   New thesaurus

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Table of Contents

  1. What does the word freak mean?
  2. What does freak mean in text?
  3. How do you use freak out in a sentence?
  4. What is an example of freaky?
  5. What does it mean if a guy calls you freaky?
  6. How do you tell if he’s a freak in bed?
  7. Is freak an insult?
  8. Why is freak a slur?
  9. How can you tell if someone’s a freak?
  10. What is control freak?
  11. What are the traits of a control freak?
  12. Are control freaks worth it?
  13. Do control freaks ruin your controller?
  14. What is a control freak in a relationship?
  15. Is a controlling person insecure?
  16. What are the signs your relationship is over?
  17. When a girl gets angry at you for no reason?

Freak is a not-so-nice noun that refers to either a person who expresses such an intense obsession with something that it resembles addiction, or a person or animal that is monstrous and deformed. Synonyms for freak, when used to describe something or something abnormal, include anomaly, chimera, misshape, and oddity.

What does freak mean in text?

1. 1. Advertisement. (slang) Odd; bizarre; unusual.

How do you use freak out in a sentence?

Freak-out sentence example I figured you’d freak out . We used to really freak out people who were on acid. She can’t see me when she wakes, she’ll freak out .

What is an example of freaky?

Something freaky is so weird that it’s almost scary. If you have a freaky dream, you might wake with a frightened gasp. Very strange looking animals are freaky, and creepy stories told at night around a campfire are best when they’re a little freaky. An uncanny coincidence is freaky, and so are many Halloween costumes.

What does it mean if a guy calls you freaky?

If someone or something is freaky, they are very unusual in some way. [informal] This guy bore a really freaky resemblance to Jones. Synonyms: weird, odd, wild, strange More Synonyms of freaky.

How do you tell if he’s a freak in bed?

7 Signs He Is A Freak In The Sheets

  1. He knows how to dance well.
  2. He has had many partners.
  3. He touches you.
  4. He likes going to the gym.
  5. He has scratches on his body.
  6. He makes strong eye contact.
  7. He knows how to make you laugh.
  8. 11 Signs Your Partner Is A Control Freak.

Is freak an insult?

The term’s original neutral connotation became entirely negative during the 20th century; therefore, freak with the meaning of “abnormally developed individual” is viewed as a pejorative. The term is also recently used to refer to someone’s obsessive or abnormal behavior.

Why is freak a slur?

ORIGIN: Associated with freak show where people who were very small, tall, large or with other visible differences or impairments were put on display for the public gaze in 17th, 18th and 19th century. It means strange or abnormal. This should not be used.

How can you tell if someone’s a freak?

9 SIGNS YOU ARE DEALING WITH A CONTROL FREAK

  1. They have a tendency to correct people.
  2. They are judgmental and critical about other people.
  3. They are not at all team players.
  4. They do not like to share credit for their success.
  5. They refuse to admit when they are wrong.
  6. They believe that they know what is best for any situation.

What is control freak?

In the slang of psychology, the colloquial term control freak describes a person with a personality disorder characterized by undermining other people, usually by way of controlling behavior manifested in the ways that they act to dictate the order of things in a social situation.

What are the traits of a control freak?

SIGNS OF A CONTROL FREAK

  • Always Correcting People When They Are Wrong.
  • They Don’t Delegate.
  • They Always Want To Have The Last Word.
  • They Will Never Admit When They Are Wrong.
  • They Are Poor Team Players.
  • They Are Always Judging And Criticizing Others.
  • They Try Too Hard To Change Others.
  • Assert Your Boundaries.

Are control freaks worth it?

Kontrol Freek IS worth it because it actually works. I played a lot of Assassin’s Creed and Dead Rising with the Kontrol Freek Phantom and didn’t notice much. A little more comfortable, a little more precise, but nothing extraordinary. But I left the Phantoms on my Xbox One controller because I’m lazy.

Do control freaks ruin your controller?

They’re comfortable, protect the stock thumb stick, and give them a nice serfs area. I’ve had no problems with them slipping off the thumb sticks, they haven’t caused any damage to the controller, and they don’t get in the way either.

What is a control freak in a relationship?

Control freaks are skilled manipulators and will play you into believing that you are being controlled for your own sake, and you being resistant is serious disrespect. They can enter your head and make you believe that your relationship is quite normal.

Is a controlling person insecure?

Involvement with a very controlling person is a sure sign of a potentially toxic relationship. For the controlling person, the offender is insecure and must have control. They do not feel strong enough as a person. They have an excessive need to always be in charge.

What are the signs your relationship is over?

There’s No Emotional Connection One of the key signs your relationship is ending is that you are no longer vulnerable and open with your partner. A cornerstone of happy, healthy ​relationships is that both partners feel comfortable being truly open to sharing thoughts and opinions with one another.

When a girl gets angry at you for no reason?

It’s might that she is avoiding you because something up to her mind and she doesn’t wanna hurt you or wanted to loose you ! Or it might be something she got to know about you , which she might be knowing from you ! In a case ,it is just a situation and circumstances which make you feel so !

Источник

Recent Examples on the Web



Any time America reports its economy is strong, Wall Street has a freak-out.


—Christine Romans, CNN, 6 Jan. 2023




What prompted the freak-out was Netflix’s warning that growth in the first part of 2022 would be slowing down — way down, as in nearly half of the 2021 Q1 growth.


—Vulture, 28 Jan. 2022




The freak storm responsible for this mind boggling event derives from the same system that whipped up two deadly tornado outbreaks in the United States, one on Dec. 23 and the other on the 26th.


—Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 30 Dec. 2015




The latest episode of the Fox first responder series saw a freak storm system wreak havoc at a carnival, particularly for a newly single dad, Trevor (Lucifer’s D.B. Woodside), who had to be rescued by the 126 twice in one day.


—Patrick Gomez, EW.com, 25 Jan. 2023




Here is the essential guide to making your house clean enough to satisfy your most critical inner neat freak and launch you into summer with a house that actually shines.


—Rachel Silva, ELLE Decor, 24 Jan. 2023




Fortunately, everyone took the freak chain of events lightheartedly.


—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 19 Jan. 2023




The menu offers appetizers like hummus, 12-inch pizzas, like the meat freak, made with red sauce, mozzarella, sausage, bacon, pepperoni, grilled chicken and oregano flakes.


—Bahar Anooshahr, The Arizona Republic, 14 Jan. 2023




He has been described as an athletic freak who possesses incredible raw power, strength, speed, and explosion.


—Lance Reisland, cleveland, 11 Jan. 2023



The injury came in freak fashion when running to the second level to deliver a block on a linebacker.


—Dallas News, 19 Oct. 2022




Officials in Kansas say a man has died after he was shot by his dog in a freak hunting accident.


—Abigail Adams, Peoplemag, 24 Jan. 2023




Hamlin, 24, fell victim to a freak accident during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals last week when a collision with another player stopped his heart.


—Justin Klawans, The Week, 7 Jan. 2023




It’s just what happens sometimes and it’s just such a freak accident.


—Mohammad Ahmad, cleveland, 4 Jan. 2023




An Army hockey player was cut in the neck in a freak accident during a game at Sacred Heart on Thursday night, leaving a bloody trail on the ice at Total Mortgage Arena in Bridgeport.


—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 6 Jan. 2023




Her young niece, Cady (Violet McGraw), is on a ski trip with her parents when, in a freak accident, their car is run over by a snowplow.


—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 4 Jan. 2023




No one can see or hear the ghosts but Samantha, who gained that ability thanks to a head injury suffered in a freak accident.


—Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2022




But the show wisely made Jeevan into Kirsten’s guardian for months — until a freak accident separated them for two decades.


—Ew Staff, EW.com, 9 Dec. 2022



But both albums were designed to take a curious kid, or a casual dabbler, and turn them into a stark raving Beatles freak for life.


—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2023




The news that former President Donald Trump was indicted is still hot off the presses, and Republicans are already freaking out.


—Tori Otten, The New Republic, 30 Mar. 2023




What follows is an attempt to get the band back together, with Poppy freaking out about reuniting her childhood faves.


—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 28 Mar. 2023




They’re freaked out.


—Wired Staff, WIRED, 9 Mar. 2023




Rita Ora is a total early aughts queen in her latest IG photo dump, and the Internet is freaking out.


—Jacqueline Tempera, Women’s Health, 7 Mar. 2023




Not satisfied to father children with a half-dozen women, one of whom is freaking Mariah Carey, Nick Cannon is on the hunt for a mother for his 13th child.


—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 7 Mar. 2023




And that’s what freaks me out a lot.


—David Remnick, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2023




To be in shape, to be slim and all that, takes a lot of freaking work.


—Wendy Geller, Peoplemag, 16 Feb. 2023


See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word ‘freak.’ Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Источник

English[edit]

Alternative forms[edit]

  • freake (obsolete)
  • freik, freke, frick (Scotland)

Etymology 1[edit]

1560, «sudden change of mind, whim», of uncertain origin. Probably from a dialectal word related to Middle English frekynge (“capricious behaviour; whims”) and Middle English friken, frikien (“to move briskly or nimbly”), from Old English frician (“to leap, dance”), or Middle English frek (“insolent, daring”), from Old English frec (“desirous, greedy, eager, bold, daring”), from Proto-West Germanic *frek, from Proto-Germanic *frekaz, *frakaz (“hard, efficient, greedy, bold, audacious”) (in which case, it would be related to the noun under Etymology 2). Compare Old High German freh (“eager”), Old English frēcne (“dangerous”).

Pronunciation[edit]

  • enPR: frēk, IPA(key): /fɹiːk/
  • Rhymes: -iːk

Noun[edit]

freak (plural freaks)

  1. (dated) A sudden change of mind
    Synonyms: whim, vagary, caprice, fancy; see also Thesaurus:whim
    • 1724, Jonathan Swift, «On a Pen»:
      And then, with heart more hard than stone,
      He pick’d my marrow from the bone.
      To vex me more, he took a freak
      To slit my tongue and make me speak:
      But, that which wonderful appears,
      I speak to eyes, and not to ears.

    • 1815, Jane Austen, chapter 17, in Emma, volume III:

      It would be a great comfort to Mr. Weston, as he grew older—and even Mr. Weston might be growing older ten years hence—to have his fireside enlivened by the sports and the nonsense, the freaks and the fancies of a child never banished from home;

  2. (dated) Someone or something that is markedly unusual or unpredictable.
    Synonyms: anomaly, outlier; see also Thesaurus:anomaly

    • 1848 November – 1850 December, William Makepeace Thackeray, chapter 19, in The History of Pendennis. […], volume (please specify |volume=I or II), London: Bradbury and Evans, […], published 1849–1850, →OCLC:

      [H]aving a dinner-party at his rooms to entertain some friends from London, nothing would satisfy Mr. Foker but painting Mr. Buck’s door vermilion, in which freak he was caught by the proctors …

    • 1907, Jack London, Before Adam, page 8:

      And I may answer with another question. Why is a two-headed calf? And my own answer to this is that it is a freak.

    • 1920, Onnie Warren Smith, Casting tackle and methods, page 67:

      There may be good points about a freak reel, but because it is a freak it will stand little show of even a fair try-out

    • 1938, Marian E. Baer, The wonders of water:

      It is a freak that people talk about when they see it. Not everyone calls it by the right name, and few people know how it gets to be what it is. This freak is hail.

  3. A hippie.
    Synonyms: longhair, tree hugger

    • [1969, Eschholz, Paul A., “Freak compounds for ‘argot freaks’”, in American Speech, volume 44, number 4, →DOI, pages 306–307:

      When long-haired, outlandishly dressed, drug-using hippies pilgrimaged to Haight-Ashbury in the early 1960s, they were quickly dubbed freaks; the pejorative appellation was both obvious and intended. It was not long before freak had become practically synonymous with hippie. It seems, however, that with the acceptance of long hair, the appearance and popularity of some rather bizarre fashions, and the emphasis placed upon «doing one’s own thing,» freak is no longer burdened with all of its former derogatory associations. Instead […] the word is beginning to acquire a quality which is favorable, glamorous, and somehow even admirable.]

  4. A drug addict.
    Synonyms: druggie, user; see also Thesaurus:addict

    • [1969, Eschholz, Paul A., “Freak compounds for «argot freaks»”, in American Speech, volume 44, number 4, →DOI, pages 306–307:

      Smith and Sturges [June 1969] note in their study of the San Francisco drug scene that freak means «anyone addicted to drugs.»]

  5. A person who is extremely abnormal in appearance due to a severe medical condition (originally, a freak of nature); later extended to meaning a person who is extremely abnormal in social behavior, sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or business practices; an oddball, especially in physiology (e.g., «circus freak»); a unique person, originally in a displeasing or alienating way.
    Synonyms: odd duck, weirdo; see also Thesaurus:strange person, Thesaurus:maverick
    • 2014, Inga Muscio, Autobiography of a Blue-eyed Devil
      Gentrification often starts with the artists, revolutionaries, freaks, transfolks, and queers (what I would call my people) moving into poor neighborhoods inhabited by people of color.
  6. (bodybuilding) A person whose physique has grown far beyond the normal limits of muscular development; often a bodybuilder weighing more than 260 pounds (117.934 kilos).
  7. An enthusiast, or person who has an obsession with, or extreme knowledge of, something.
    Synonyms: fanatic, geek; see also Thesaurus:fan

    • [1968, Davis, Fred; Laura Munoz, “Heads and freaks: patterns and meanings of drug use among hippies”, in Journal of Health and Social Behavior, volume 9, number 2, →DOI, pages 156–164:

      Anyone […] who seems «hung up» on some idea, activity or interactional disposition, might be called a «freak.»]

    • [1969, Eschholz, Paul A., “Freak compounds for «argot freaks»”, in American Speech, volume 44, number 4, →DOI, pages 306–307:

      Presently […] college students […] use freak to denote any kind of enthusiast.]

    Bob’s a real video-game freak. He owns every games console of the last ten years.

  8. (informal, sometimes endearing) A very sexually perverse individual.
    Synonyms: horn dog, hypersexual, pervert; see also Thesaurus:libidinist

    She’s a freak in the sack!

  9. (dated) A streak of colour; variegation.
    Synonyms: (birds) superciliary, vein
  10. Euphemistic form of fuck.

    • 2011 February 9, Silianise Moise, Life Is Not a Fairy Tale, but . . ., Xlibris Corporation, →ISBN, page 145:

      So why am I grieving over someone who doesn’t even give a freak about me? These vindictive ideas flowed through my head. A part of me wanted to carve my name into his little Saturn leather seats, but I remembered they weren’t leather.

    • 2014 February 4, John Nicholas Iannuzzi, Condemned: A Novel, Open Road Media, →ISBN:

      They hear you, not out in the car, but when you practically say it to their face, they could make things hard for you, just to get back at you. You never know.” “Hey, Flor, not for nothin’, but I don’t give a freak about them guys or […]

    • 2020 December 23, Raven Steele, A Monster’s Birth, Raven Steele:

      Because I’ve seen the vampires up there, and they don’t give a freak about anyone or anything. Tell me you are different.» «I am trying to be. The urges are hard to overcome, but, I assure you, you’re safe with me.

Derived terms[edit]
  • circus freak
  • control freak
  • freak flag, fly the freak flag
  • freak folk
  • freak of nature
  • freak show
  • freak wave
  • freak-out
  • freakish, freakishly
  • freaky
  • get one’s freak on
  • Jesus freak
  • neat freak
  • speed freak
Translations[edit]

sudden causeless change or turn of the mind

  • Bulgarian: прищя́вка (bg) f (prištjávka), капри́з (bg) m (kapríz)
  • Czech: rozmar (cs) m, kapric m
  • Finnish: oikku (fi), päähänpisto (fi)
  • French: caprice (fr) m
  • German: Laune (de) f
  • Greek:
    Ancient: σχεδίασμα n (skhedíasma)
  • Italian: capriccio (it) m, sfizio (it) m, ghiribizzo (it) m
  • Macedonian: капри́ц m (kapríc), ќуд f (ḱud)
  • Russian: причу́да (ru) f (pričúda), капри́з (ru) m (kapríz), чуда́чество (ru) n (čudáčestvo)
  • Spanish: capricho (es) m, antojo (es) m

oddball, especially in physiology

  • Chinese:
    Mandarin: 人妖 (zh) (rényāo), 怪物 (zh) (guàiwù)
  • Finnish: friikki (fi), kummajainen (fi), luonnonoikku (fi)
  • French: monstre (fr) m, phénomène (fr) m, anormal (fr) m
  • Indonesian: miring (id)
  • Italian: abnorme (it) m
  • Japanese: フリーク (ja) (furīku), 変人 (ja) (へんじん, henjin)
  • Korean: 괴물(怪物) (ko) (goemul), 괴짜 (goejja)
  • Macedonian: изрод m (izrod)
  • Russian: уро́д (ru) m (uród), уро́дина (ru) f (uródina), уро́дец (ru) m (uródec), фрик (ru) m (frik) (neologism), монстр (ru) m (monstr), чудо́вище (ru) n (čudóvišče)
  • Spanish: fenómeno (es) m
  • Ukrainian: дива́к m (dyvák)

person whose physique has grown far beyond the normal limits of muscular development

person who has an obsession or extreme knowledge of something

  • Czech: nadšenec (cs) m, fanda (cs) m, machr (cs) m
  • Dutch: fanaat (nl)
  • Finnish: -friikki, intoilija (fi)
  • French: fanatique (fr), fou (fr) m, fana (fr) m, mordu (fr) m
  • German: Freak (de) m, (pejorative) Spinner (de) m
  • Italian: maniaco (it) m, fanatico (it) m, patito (it) m, entusiasta (it) m or f
  • Macedonian: фанатик m (fanatik)
  • Russian: фана́тик (ru) m (fanátik), чуда́к (ru) m (čudák), фана́т (ru) m (fanát), у́мник (ru) m (úmnik), бота́ник (ru) m (botánik) («botanist»), задро́т (ru) m (zadrót) («jerk»), фрик (ru) m (frik) (neologism)
  • Spanish: fanático (es), friki (es) m or f
  • Turkish: manyak (tr)

very sexually perverse individual (friendly use)

  • Czech: (colloquial) ujetej m
  • Finnish: friikki (fi)

Verb[edit]

freak (third-person singular simple present freaks, present participle freaking, simple past and past participle freaked)

  1. (intransitive, slang) To react extremely or irrationally, usually under distress or discomposure.
    • 1994, James Earl Hardy, B-Boy Blues: A Seriously Sexy, Fiercely Funny, Black-On-Black Love Story, (Alyson Publishing), page 107
      But after one night turned into five days, I was freaking out. I missed him.
  2. (slang, transitive, intransitive) To be placed or place someone under the influence of a psychedelic drug, (especially) to experience reality withdrawal, or hallucinations (nightmarish), to behave irrational or unconventional due to drug use.
  3. (transitive, dated) To streak; to variegate
    • 1930, Robert Seymour Bridges, The Testament of Beauty: A Poem in Four Books, (Literary Criticism), page 20
      […] in fine diaper of silver and mother-of-pearl freaking the intense azure; Now scurrying close overhead, wild ink-hued random racers that fling sheeted […]
Derived terms[edit]
  • freak out
Translations[edit]

Adjective[edit]

freak (not comparable)

  1. Strange, weird, unexpected.
    Synonyms: freakish; see also Thesaurus:strange, Thesaurus:lucky

    a freak genius

    • 2011 April 15, Saj Chowdhury, “Norwich 2 — 1 Nott’m Forest”, in BBC Sport‎[1]:

      A freak goal gave Forest the lead when a clearance by keeper John Ruddy bounced off Nathan Tyson and flew in.

Derived terms[edit]
  • freak accident
Translations[edit]

Further reading[edit]

  • freak in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
  • “freak”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.

Etymology 2[edit]

From Middle English freke, freike (“a bold man, warrior, man, creature”), from Old English freca (“a bold man, warrior, hero”), from Proto-Germanic *frekô (“an active or eager man, warrior, wolf”), from *frekaz (“active, bold, desirous, greedy”), from Proto-Indo-European *pereg-, *spereg- (“to shrug, be quick, twitch, splash, blast”).

Cognate with Old Norse freki (“greedy or avaricious one, a wolf”), Old High German freh (“eager”), German frech, Old English frēcne (“dangerous, daring, courageous, bold”).

Pronunciation[edit]

  • enPR: frēk, IPA(key): /fɹiːk/
  • Rhymes: -iːk

Noun[edit]

freak (plural freaks)

  1. A man, particularly a bold, strong, vigorous man.
  2. (UK dialectal, Scotland) A fellow; a petulant young man.

Anagrams[edit]

  • Kafer, faker

Dutch[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Borrowed from English freak.

Pronunciation[edit]

  • IPA(key): /frik/, /friːk/
  • Hyphenation: freak
  • Rhymes: -ik

Noun[edit]

freak m (plural freaks, diminutive freakje n)

  1. freak (oddball)
  2. freak (dedicated fan)
Источник


Asked by: Helga Armstrong

Score: 4.9/5
(36 votes)

: a lock or curl of hair.

Who is a freaky person?

If someone or something is freaky, they are very unusual in some way. [informal] This guy bore a really freaky resemblance to Jones. Synonyms: weird, odd, wild, strange More Synonyms of freaky.

What does it mean to be someone’s freak?

Freak is a not-so-nice noun that refers to either a person who expresses such an intense obsession with something that it resembles addiction, or a person or animal that is monstrous and deformed. … Weirdo is slang for freak, and regular is its antonym.

What does it mean to get freaked?

informal. : feeling or showing extreme distress, astonishment, or discomposure For those too freaked or tired to brave the mall, there are always catalogs.—

What is Speed Freak mean?

: one who habitually misuses amphetamines and especially methamphetamine.

39 related questions found

Is freak a bad word?

The term’s original neutral connotation became entirely negative during the 20th century; therefore, freak with its literal meaning of «abnormally developed individual» is viewed purely as a pejorative today. However, the term is also recently used playfully to refer to an enthusiast or obsessive person.

What is freaky girl mean?

young woman who adopts a unconventional behavior and look. term largely used in the 20’s to describe women who acted contrary to what was commonly expected by going out, drinking, smoking, dancing, wearing make-up etc.

How do you use freak?

Freak sentence example

  1. They freak me out. …
  2. Kiera would freak when she saw the cats. …
  3. She can’t see me when she wakes, she’ll freak out. …
  4. What’s that freak doing? …
  5. You’re a freak of nature. …
  6. Is that what made you freak out up on the mountain?

What does I freaking love you mean?

it simply means that the Person loved it very much.

How can you tell if a girl is freaky?

How do you tell if a girl is secretly a freak?

  1. Her “casual style” is “burning-hot”
  2. She’s kind of like you.
  3. She’s touchy-feely.
  4. She can’t stop staring at you.
  5. Oh, that devilish smile!
  6. She enjoys teasing you.
  7. Her jokes are so daring!
  8. She’s just so… enticing!

What does it mean to be vanilla in bed?

Vanilla sex refers to conventional sex that conforms to the very basic expectations with a culture. Classically, in heterosexual sex, it refers to sex in the missionary position, and broadly speaking, it excludes fetishes such as S&M.

What does the word Freakiest mean?

1. slang. strange; unconventional; bizarre. 2. another word for freakish.

What freak me out meaning?

From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishfreak out phrasal verb informalto become very anxious, upset, or afraid, or make someone very anxious, upset, or afraid People just freaked out when they heard the news. freak somebody out The whole idea freaked me out. → freak→ See Verb table. Quizzes.

What is the example of freak?

An example of freak is someone who is dancing around and shouting and screaming because he has just won the lottery. An example of freak is when someone gets very angry and starts yelling and breaking things for little or no reason.

What does TBF mean in Snapchat?

tbf. (also TBF) written abbreviation for to be fair: used, for example on social media and in text messages, when you have considered everything that has an effect on a situation in order to make a fair judgment: Tbf she’s never done anything bad to me.

What does AFK mean in?

AFK means «away from keyboard» in typing shorthand. Its meaning can be literal or it can simply indicate that you aren’t online. AFK is a helpful phrase for communal online spaces, when you want a quick way to communicate that you’re stepping away.

What does IMO slang mean?

1 in my opinion Is text-messaging hurting teen language skills?

What is the meaning of woo her?

The definition of woo is to try to gain love, affection or support. When you try to make a woman fall in love with you, this is an example of a time when you woo her. … To seek the romantic affection of someone, especially a woman.

What is being goofy?

Full Definition of goofy

: being crazy, ridiculous, or mildly ludicrous : silly a goofy sense of humor that hat looks goofy.

Does freak mean the F word?

Yes, “fricking” or “freaking” are basically milder substitutes for the “F-word”. They are thus LESS offensive than that word. Among friends who have a high tolerance for vulgar language, these would be very mild words. But among people who do not use vulgar language, these words could still be offensive.

Is Bloody a curse word?

Bloody is a common swear word that is considered to be milder and less offensive than other, more visceral alternatives. In 1994, it was the most commonly spoken swear word, accounting for around 650 of every million words said in the UK – 0.064 per cent.

Do people still say bloody?

Still, to Americans bloody remains the quintessential British swear word, and one of the only ones they have not adopted themselves (except when they’re being pretentious or ironic). Both countries share a fascination with swear words’ that reference the male anatomy.

What does cuss mean in slang?

to use profanity; curse; swear.

What does it mean when a girl says she’s vanilla?

If you describe a person or thing as vanilla, you mean that they are ordinary, with no special or extra features.

Источник

Other forms: freaks; freaking; freaked

Freak is a not-so-nice noun that refers to either a person who expresses such an intense obsession with something that it resembles addiction, or a person or animal that is monstrous and deformed.

Synonyms for freak, when used to describe something or something abnormal, include anomaly, chimera, misshape, and oddity. Weirdo is slang for freak, and regular is its antonym. People who ardently adore a particular type of music, like heavy metal, or who have many piercings or identify with a subculture, are often labeled freak. A freak occurrence, on the other hand, is not necessarily a bad thing, but connotes something irregular or unexpected. A freak of nature can lead to thunder-snow, and a freak accident can lead to, well, a missing ear or toe.

Definitions of freak

  1. noun

    a person or animal that is markedly unusual or deformed

  2. noun

    someone who is so ardently devoted to something that it resembles an addiction

    “a bodybuilding
    freak”

    synonyms:

    addict, junkie, junky, nut

  3. “When he saw the accident, he
    freaked out”

    synonyms:

    freak out, gross out

DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘freak’.
Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors.
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Источник

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