freaking

UK: /ˈfriːkɪŋ/ US: (frē′king)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

freak•ing  (frē′king), adj., adv. [Slang.]

1. Slang Terms (used as an intensifier).

• 1965–70; freak¹ + -ing²; euphemistically echoing frigging and fucking

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

freaking / ˈfriːkɪŋ/ adjective , adverb (prenominal)

1. (intensifier): his freaking mother; this is freaking weird

Etymology: 20th Century: euphemism for the taboo word fucking

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

freak¹ /frik/   n. [countable]

1. an abnormal, unusual, or strange person, animal, or thing;
   aberration.
2. a sudden unexpected occurrence:
   The snowstorm in July was a freak of nature.
3. Slang Terms
   • a habitual user;
     addict:
     a drug freak.
   • a devoted fan:
     a baseball freak.

adj. [before a noun]

4. unusual;
   odd;
   irregular:
   a freak storm.

v. 

5. to (cause to) become frightened, nervous, or excited: [no object; (~ + out)]
   I nearly freaked (out) when I heard the news.
   [~ (+ out) + object]
   That surprise test freaked (out) most of the students.
   [~ + object (+ out)]
   That test really freaked them (out).
6. freak out, [no object] [Slang.] to hallucinate under the influence of a drug:
   to freak out on LSD.

freak•ish, freak•y, adj., -i•er, -i•est. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

freak¹  (frēk), n. 

1. any abnormal phenomenon or product or unusual object;
   anomaly;
   aberration.
2. Pathology a person or animal on exhibition as an example of a strange deviation from nature;
   monster.
3. a sudden and apparently causeless change or turn of events, the mind, etc.;
   an apparently capricious notion, occurrence, etc.:
   That kind of sudden storm is a freak.
4. Currency [Numis.] an imperfect coin, undetected at the mint and put into circulation.
5. Stamps [Philately.] a stamp differing from others of the same printing because of creases, dirty engraving plates, etc. Cf. error (def. 8), variety (def. 8).
6. Slang Terms
   • a person who has withdrawn from normal, rational behavior and activities to pursue one interest or obsession:
     a drug freak.
   • a devoted fan or follower;
     enthusiast:
     a baseball freak.
     c. a hippie.
7. [Archaic.] capriciousness;
   whimsicality.

adj. 

8. unusual;
   odd;
   irregular:
   a freak epidemic.

v.i., v.t. 

9. to become or make frightened, nervous, or wildly excited:
   The loud noise caused the horse to freak.
10. freak out, [Slang.]
    • to enter into or cause a period of irrational behavior or emotional instability, as under the influence of a drug:
      to be freaked out on LSD.
    • to lose or cause to lose emotional control from extreme excitement, shock, fear, joy, despair, etc.:
      Seeing the dead body freaked him out.

• 1555–65; 1965–70 for def. 6; perh. akin to Old English frīcian to dance

Synonyms

• 3. vagary, quirk, crotchet.

freak²  (frēk), v.t. 

1. to fleck, streak, or variegate:
   great splashes of color freaking the sky.

n. 

2. a fleck or streak of color.

• apparently introduced by Milton in Lycidas (1637), perh. as blend of, blended freck to mark with spots (perh. back formation from freckle) and streak

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

freak / friːk/ noun

1. a person, animal, or plant that is abnormal or deformed; monstrosity
2. an object, event, etc, that is abnormal or extremely unusual
3. (as modifier): a freak storm
4. a personal whim or caprice
5. a person who acts or dresses in a markedly unconventional or strange way
6. a person who is obsessed with something specified: a jazz freak

verb

1. See freak out

Etymology: 16th Century: of obscure origin