noun
anorak
Anorak (noun) means a thick, waterproof coat with a hood attached, similar to a parka.
noun
1
A thick, waterproof coat with a hood attached, similar to a parka.
"Don't ever use the hood on your anorak; and, if you do, for heaven's sake don't pull the string tight so that you peep out like a little baby in a siren suit."
— Bill Oddie, Bill Oddie's Little Black Bird Book (1980)
2
(informal) Someone very keen on, and knowledgeable about, a niche subject, often trains.
"He has described himself as the uber-geek, an anorak's anorak, a standard bearer for fellow Star Trekkies everywhere, and his air of bland, amiable bafflement has served him remarkably well in a string of TV and film roles."
— Maev Kennedy, I used to say he was England's answer to John Cusack. Now I think he's England's answer to Jack Lemmon (2007)
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Etymology
The garment sense is borrowed from Greenlandic annoraaq. The sense of a person with an obsessive interest originally referred to train spotters, because they would wear anoraks while looking out for trains.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for anorak
See all rhymes for anorak →Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of anorak?
"anorak" (noun) means a thick, waterproof coat with a hood attached, similar to a parka.
What is another word for anorak?
Other words for "anorak" include parka, windcheater, windbreaker.
What are the different meanings of anorak?
"anorak" has 2 main meanings: 1. A thick, waterproof coat with a hood attached, similar to a parka; 2. (informal) Someone very keen on, and knowledgeable about, a niche subject, often trains.
