freak

12 synonyms and 3 antonyms for freak, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A person, animal, or thing that is highly unusual or abnormal.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

monster

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

anomaly enthusiast nut addict

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

oddity aberration oddball fanatic junky monstrosity junkie

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

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

“The huge snowfall in summer was a freak of the weather.”

oddity anomaly aberration oddball fanatic enthusiast nut junky monster monstrosity addict junkie

2. adj

Highly unusual or unexpected.

“A freak accident on the stairs left him with a broken wrist.”

Opposites

common natural regular

How to use freak

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

freak out freak accident freak of nature control freak

The verb "freak out" and noun senses like "fitness freak" are informal.

Etymology

Origin uncertain, first appearing in English in the 1560s meaning a sudden whim; likely linked to Old English frec, "bold, eager," which drifted toward meaning something wildly out of the ordinary.

Full origin of freak →

Frequently asked questions

What does “freak” mean?

The word “freak” means a person, animal, or thing that is highly unusual or abnormal. In plain terms, something bizarrely abnormal, an enthusiast for something, or (as a verb) to lose your composure suddenly.

How do you pronounce “freak”?

“Freak” is pronounced freek (/fɹiːk/ in IPA).

How do you use “freak” in a sentence?

Here is “freak” used in a sentence: “The two-headed calf was a genuine freak of nature.”

What part of speech is “freak”?

Depending on how it is used, “freak” can be a noun, a verb and an adjective.

Where does the word “freak” come from?

The word “freak” dates back to around 1560 and comes from Old English. Origin uncertain, first appearing in English in the 1560s meaning a sudden whim; likely linked to Old English frec, "bold, eager," which drifted toward meaning something wildly out of the ordinary.

Is “freak” a common word?

“Freak” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “freak” have?

“Freak” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person, animal, or thing that is highly unusual or abnormal.

Is calling someone a freak offensive?

It depends on the sense. Calling a person a freak to mean they are abnormal or strange is insulting and can be hurtful. In compounds describing enthusiasm, such as 'a fitness freak', the word is informal and usually playful rather than offensive.

What is a freak accident?

A freak accident is one that is highly unusual and unexpected — an event so unlikely that it could not reasonably have been predicted. Here 'freak' works as an adjective, as it also does in phrases like 'a freak storm' or 'a freak result'.

People also searched

common natural regular monster nut addict anomaly enthusiast fanatic junkie aberration oddball

Nearby words

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