adj
Common
freaking
FREE-kihng
Freaking (adj) means used as a mild substitute for a stronger swear word to add emphasis. Example: “Where are my freaking keys? I had them a minute ago!”
adj
1
Used as a mild substitute for a stronger swear word to add emphasis.
"Where are my freaking keys? I had them a minute ago!"
"I'm not going to wait for that freaking bus any longer."
"That's the freaking best pizza I've ever had."
adv
1
Used to intensify an adjective or verb (informal).
"The film was freaking amazing, and we laughed the whole way through."
"He was freaking tired after the long drive home."
"It's freaking cold outside today."
How to use freaking
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA polite stand-in for a stronger swear word, used to add emphasis.
When to use it
Informal; used as a mild alternative to profanity in everyday speech.
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Word forms
- Plural
- freakings
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Where are my _____ keys? I had them a minute ago!
Etymology
A softened, minced form of a much stronger intensifier, built on "freak" as a euphemistic substitute.
Related words
Rhymes for freaking
See all rhymes for freaking →Frequently asked questions
What does “freaking” mean?
The word “freaking” means used as a mild substitute for a stronger swear word to add emphasis. In plain terms, a polite stand-in for a stronger swear word, used to add emphasis.
How do you pronounce “freaking”?
“Freaking” is pronounced FREE-kihng (/ˈfɹiːkɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “freaking” in a sentence?
Here is “freaking” used in a sentence: “That's the freaking best pizza I've ever had.”
What part of speech is “freaking”?
Depending on how it is used, “freaking” can be an adjective and an adverb.
Is “freaking” a common word?
“Freaking” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “freaking” have?
“Freaking” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: used as a mild substitute for a stronger swear word to add emphasis.
Is freaking a swear word?
Freaking is a euphemism: a mild substitute used in place of a stronger swear word to add emphasis. Most people do not treat it as true profanity, but it is informal and can still sound impolite in professional or formal settings.
What is the difference between freaking and freaking out?
As an intensifier, freaking simply adds emphasis, as in "that was freaking amazing." Freaking out comes from the verb freak out and means panicking or reacting with extreme emotion, as in "she was freaking out before the exam."
Where does freaking go in a sentence?
Freaking is placed immediately before the word it intensifies: an adjective ("freaking incredible"), a verb ("I freaking love this song"), or a noun ("the freaking printer again"). Placed anywhere else, it loses its emphatic effect.
Can you use freaking in formal writing?
No; freaking belongs to casual speech, texting, and social media. In formal writing, replace it with intensifiers such as extremely, absolutely, or incredibly.
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