SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

freak show

noun

Definition of freak show

:an exhibition (such as a sideshow) featuring freaks of nature

First Known Use of freak show

1887

Learn More about freak show

See words that rhyme with freak show

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up freak show? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

WORD OF THE DAY

glabrous

play

smooth or hairless

Words at Play

alt-59bff395cf879

What's Going On With 'Nonplussed'?

Its recent usage is hard to shrug off.

alt-59bad350d88f1

Welcome to the New Words

From 'hive mind' to 'sriracha'

9 Slang Words With Academic Origins

Class is in session.

8 Foods Named After Real People

A delicious collection of eponymous foods

Ask the Editors

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066

Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Don't get us started on 'bimonthly'

video-irregardless-grammar-peeve-blend-of-the-synonyms-irrespective-and-regardless

Irregardless

It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

video-moose-goose-weird-plurals

Weird Plurals

One goose, two geese. One moose, two... moose. What's up with that?

Word Games

stylized-drawing-of-woman-pole-vaulting-across-gap-to-get-trophy

Challenging Vocabulary Quiz Returns!

No tricks, just difficult words.

Take the quiz

Name that Color!

NEW! Additional colors! More obscure than before!

Take the quiz

Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

Take the quiz

Syn City

Build a city of skyscrapers—one synonym at a time.

Play the game