Freak out meaning
Freak out means to suddenly become very scared, upset or angry. It can also mean to make someone feel scared, nervous or uncomfortable.
freak out
freak out · freaked · freaking
I freaked out when I saw a spider in my shoe.
Freak out meanings and examples
2 meanings, each with its own CEFR level. A level marked ~ is our estimate: Oxford and Cambridge give none for that meaning.
-
1
Suddenly become very scared, upset or angry
freak out
- I freaked out when I saw a spider in my shoe.
- Don’t freak out, but I scratched your car.
- Mum freaked out because I came home at 3 am.
-
2
Make someone feel scared, nervous or uncomfortable
freak somebody or something out
- That empty house really freaks me out.
- The loud noise freaked the dog out.
- Did the ending of the film freak you out?
Café orders
New friends
At the airport
Slova
Use freak out in real conversations
- Learn new words with picture cards
- Talk with Felix, an AI tutor, about the things you love
- Short lessons at your level, a few minutes a day
Is freak out separable?
With no object, freak out means react very strongly: He freaked out. With an object, the person goes in the middle: It freaks me out. Freak out me is wrong.
Freak out is informal. The adjective is freaked out: I was totally freaked out. A freak-out, with a hyphen, is a sudden strong reaction.
Verb tenses for freak out
| Present | I freak out · she freaks out |
|---|---|
| Past | freaked out |
| Present perfect | have freaked out |
| -ing form | freaking out |
Common mistakes with freak out
What learners often say, and what to say instead.
Wrong: Clowns freak out me.
Right: Clowns freak me out.
A pronoun goes between freak and out.
Wrong: I was freaking when I saw the bill.
Right: I was freaking out when I saw the bill.
Keep out in standard English; freaking alone is slang and often rude.
Wrong: Please don’t freak out about me, I’m fine.
Right: Please don’t worry about me, I’m fine.
Freak out is a strong panic; for normal worry, say worry.
Synonyms and opposites of freak out
Words close to it, and words that mean the opposite.
Similar
- panicsuddenly feel very afraid and unable to think clearly
- lose itinformal, suddenly become very angry or upset
- blow upsuddenly become very angry and shout
Freak out quiz
Three quick questions. Pick an answer to see if it is right and why.
-
1She ___ when she couldn’t find her passport at the airport.
Freak out means suddenly become very upset or scared.
-
2Choose the right sentence.
The pronoun goes in the middle.
-
3“That doll in the corner freaks me out.” How does the speaker feel?
Something that freaks you out makes you feel scared or uncomfortable.
Find your level
The phrasal verbs test adapts as you answer, from A2 to C1, and shows which ones you miss.
- get outA2leave a car, a room or a building
- take outA2remove something from a bag, a box, a pocket or a place
- put outB1stop a fire, a cigarette or a light from burning or shining
- go outA1leave your home to do something fun
- come outB1become available to buy, watch or read, like a book or film
- look outB1be careful, because something bad may happen
- give outB1give something to each of a number of people
- turn outB2happen or end in a particular way
Freak out FAQ
Questions people ask about freak out.
Is freak out rude?
No, it is just informal. Use it with friends and family. In a work email, say panic or was very worried.
What does freaked out mean?
Freaked out is an adjective. It means very scared, shocked or nervous: I was a bit freaked out after the call.
What is the difference between freak out and panic?
They are close. Panic is neutral and also used in news. Freak out is informal and can also mean get very angry.
Use freak out in real conversations
In Slova you learn new words with picture cards, then use them when you talk about the things you love. A few minutes a day, at your level.