freak

[[t]fri͟ːk[/t]]

freaks, freaking, freaked

1) ADJ: ADJ n A freak event or action is one that is a very unusual or extreme example of its type.

Weir broke his leg in a freak accident playing golf...

The ferry was hit by a freak wave off the North Wales coast.

Syn:

bizarre, chance

2) N-COUNT: n N If you describe someone as a particular kind of freak, you are emphasizing that they are very enthusiastic about a thing or activity, and often seem to think about nothing else. [INFORMAL]

→ See also control freak

Oat bran became the darling of health freaks last year.

...computer freaks.

Syn:

fanatic

3) N-COUNT (disapproval) People are sometimes referred to as freaks when their behaviour or attitude is very different from that of the majority of people.

However, outside of these institutions the black thinking woman is looked upon as a freak...

Not so long ago, transsexuals were regarded as freaks.

4) N-COUNT (disapproval) If you refer to someone as a freak, you mean that they are physically abnormal in some way. This use could cause offence.

5) V-ERG If someone freaks, or if something freaks them, they suddenly feel extremely surprised, upset, angry, or confused. [INFORMAL]

I saw five cop cars pull into the driveway. And I literally freaked...

[get V-ed] I think they got freaked by women laughing at them. [Also V n]

Phrasal Verbs:

- freak out

PHR-V-ERG

Freak out means the same as freak.

V P I remember the first time I went onstage. I freaked out completely... V n P I think our music freaks people out sometimes... Also V P n (not pron) be V-ed P It sort of frightens me. I guess I am kind of freaked out by it.