freak

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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'.