1
a
: a sudden and odd or seemingly pointless idea or turn of the mind
you should be able to stop and go on, and follow this way or that, as the freak takes you—
R. L. Stevenson
R. L. Stevenson
b
: a seemingly capricious action or event
Through an incredible freak of fate they survived the shipwreck.
2
archaic
: a whimsical quality or disposition
3
: one that is markedly unusual or abnormal: such as
a
: a person or animal having a physical oddity and appearing in a circus sideshow
b
slang
(1)
: a sexual deviate
(2)
: a person who uses an illicit drug
a speed freak
c
: hippie
d
: an atypical postage stamp usually caused by a unique defect in paper (such as a crease) or a unique event in the manufacturing process (such as a speck of dirt on the plate) that does not produce a constant or systematic effect
4
a
: an ardent enthusiast
film freaks
b
: a person who is obsessed with something
a control freak
: not natural, normal, or likely
He was the victim of a freak accident.
a freak occurrence
freaked; freaking; freaks
1
: to make greatly distressed, astonished, or discomposed
—often used with out
the news freaked them out
2
: to put under the influence of a psychedelic drug
—often used with out
1
: to withdraw from reality especially by taking drugs
—often used with out
2
: to experience nightmarish hallucinations as a result of taking drugs
—often used with out
3
a
: to behave irrationally or unconventionally under the influence of drugs
—often used with out
b
: to react with extreme or irrational distress or discomposure
—often used with out
freaked; freaking; freaks
: to streak especially with color
silver and mother-of-pearl freaking the intense azure—Robert Bridges †1930
Robert Bridges †1930Synonyms
Examples of freak in a Sentence
Noun
eccentric, artistic types whom many regarded as freaks
I had a terrible rash on my face, and I felt like a freak.
Adjective
He was the victim of a freak accident.
even weather forecasters seemed surprised by the freak hailstorm
Verb (1)
don't talk about death, as it totally freaks me out
the landlady totally freaked out when she saw the dead body in the hall
Recent Examples on the WebVulture, 28 Jan. 2022
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
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
Hansi Lo Wang, NPR, 12 Sep. 2024
Then the internet’s mean girls came for her, wondering why Karen (a character originated on screen by Amanda Seyfried) was now brown, and later freaking out over a rumour that Avantika (she/her) might play the lead in a live action Rapunzel.
—Katherine Singh, refinery29.com, 5 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for freak 
Noun
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 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
Adjective
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
Verb
Here’s why many election experts aren’t freaking out about certification this year
And the charges against some unauthorized pro-Trump electors are still looming.
—Hansi Lo Wang, NPR, 12 Sep. 2024
Then the internet’s mean girls came for her, wondering why Karen (a character originated on screen by Amanda Seyfried) was now brown, and later freaking out over a rumour that Avantika (she/her) might play the lead in a live action Rapunzel.
—Katherine Singh, refinery29.com, 5 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for freak
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.
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Dictionary Entries Near freak
Cite this Entry
“Freak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/freak. Accessed 19 Sep. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
freak
1 of 3 noun1
a
: a sudden strange idea : whim
b
: a strange, abnormal, or unusual person, thing, or event
2
a
: enthusiast
a movie freak
b
: a person who is obsessed with something
a control freak
freakish
adjective
ˈfrē-kish
freakishly
adverb
freakishness
noun
freak
2 of 3 adjective
: being or suggesting a freak : improbable
a freak accident
freak
3 of 3 verb
: to disturb one's calmness of mind : upset
—usually used with out
the news freaks me out
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