# geek

/ˈɡik/ (US) · /ɡˈiːk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/geek
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. an enthusiast

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

someone who is extremely interested in a particular subject and knows a lot about it.

For teachers: a person with an intense, often obsessive interest in a specific intellectual or technical niche.

- He is a total history geek and spends all his weekends at museums.
- While he was once mocked for being a computer geek, his deep technical knowledge eventually made him the most sought-after consultant in the firm.

### 2. socially awkward person

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a person who is seen as boring or not popular because they like things that are not 'cool'.

For teachers: a person perceived as socially inept or unfashionable due to their unconventional interests.

- In high school, I felt like a geek because I preferred chess to football.
- The film explores the classic trope of the high school geek who eventually finds success by embracing their unique personality.

### 3. to talk excitedly

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal · Slang

to talk or act with a lot of excitement about a hobby or technical subject.

For teachers: to engage in or discuss a niche interest with intense enthusiasm; often used with 'out'.

- We spent the whole night geeking out over the new space photos.
- The two engineers spent the entire dinner party geeking out over the nuances of the new software architecture, much to the boredom of the other guests.

Usage: Often used as the phrasal verb 'geek out' followed by the preposition 'over'.

### 4. a look

noun · CEFR C2 · Informal · Dialect · British English

a quick look at something.

For teachers: a brief look or glance at something.

- Have a geek at this photo I found in the attic.
- He took a quick geek at the engine to see if he could identify the source of the rattling sound.

Teaching tip: This sense is specific to Australian English and some UK dialects; learners should use 'look' or 'peek' in general contexts.

## Examples

- My brother is a total computer geek who builds his own machines.
- She describes herself as a history geek and spends every weekend visiting local museums and archives.
- While the term once carried a social stigma, the modern tech industry has transformed the image of the geek into one of intellectual and economic influence.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.