geek

noun

\ ˈgēk

Definition of geek

1 : a person often of an intellectual bent who is disliked

2 : an enthusiast or expert especially in a technological field or activity computer geek

3 : a carnival performer often billed as a wild man whose act usually includes biting the head off a live chicken or snake

Other Words from geek Synonyms Of Nerds, Geeks, and Dorks More Example Sentences Learn More about geek

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Synonyms for geek

Synonyms

bookworm, dink [slang], dork [slang], grind, nerd, swot [British], weenie, wonk

Of Nerds, Geeks, and Dorks

Dork, when used to refer to a socially awkward or inept person, is a relatively recent word: our records indicate that it first appeared in writing in the 1960s. Two of its synonyms in this sense are likewise of fairly recent vintage. Nerd (typically used of a studious species of dork) dates from the 1950s; it was coined by Dr. Seuss in his 1950 book If I Ran the Zoo, although not in the sense that we use today. Geek became synonymous with nerd in the 1950s. Prior to this, the word referred to, among other things, a carnival performer who would bite the head off a live chicken, or other small animal, as part of an act.

Examples of geek in a Sentence

He was a real geek in high school. was quickly stereotyped as another computer geek

Recent Examples on the Web

Not only did SpaceX demonstrate the prowess of the Falcon Heavy, but the company also captured the imaginations of rocket geeks and non-space followers alike. — Loren Grush, The Verge, "The Verge 2018 tech report card: SpaceX," 29 Dec. 2018 Once aloof and elitist, Broadway has in recent years overtly embraced its connection to the college and high school theater productions that dot the nation, often packed with newly cool Broadway geeks and devoted audience members. — Chris Jones, chicagotribune.com, "Tony Awards honor Chicago's David Cromer and Laurie Metcalf," 10 June 2018 Milk Room Milk Room is where spirits geeks and cocktail obsessives can find rare booze and (incredible, expensive) cocktails crafted by some of the city's best bartenders. — Antonio Basada, Condé Nast Traveler, "28 Best Bars in Chicago," 1 Mar. 2018 Bran Stark embodies curatorial fandom — including its worst aspects It must be said: Bran embodies the stereotype of a fannish geek that spends his entire day sitting surfing the internet. — Aja Romano, Vox, "Why the ending of Game of Thrones elevated the worst of fan culture," 20 July 2019 Sci-fi geeks will love staying in this room that's built for five people (two adults and three children). — Hadley Mendelsohn, House Beautiful, "This Hotel Brings Your Childhood Treehouse Dreams to Life," 19 July 2019 Now the software geek turned activist reflects on 25 years of the struggle. — The Denver Post, "Post Premium: Our best stories for the week of July 8-14," 14 July 2019 Wine geeks love the capable bottle service and, as a bonus, Oppold’s vegetarian creations are some of the best in town. — Dominic Armato, azcentral, "The best restaurants in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley," 1 July 2019 About 20 computer geeks with sales prowess filed into the nondescript U.K. office, giggling among themselves. — Halley Bondy, NBC News, ""I just had to suppress everything": What it's like to be transgender in a male-dominated field," 21 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'geek.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for geek

geek

noun

English Language Learners Definition of geek

chiefly US, informal

: a person who is socially awkward and unpopular : a usually intelligent person who does not fit in with other people

: a person who is very interested in and knows a lot about a particular field or activity

See the full definition for geek in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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geek

Definition of geek

Other Words from geek

Synonyms for geek

Of Nerds, Geeks, and Dorks

Examples of geek in a Sentence

First Known Use of geek

History and Etymology for geek

English Language Learners Definition of geek

geek

Definition of geek

Other Words from geek

Synonyms for geek

Of Nerds, Geeks, and Dorks

Examples of geek in a Sentence

First Known Use of geek

History and Etymology for geek

English Language Learners Definition of geek

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