Browse all

geek out

B1 informal inseparable intransitive

To enthusiastically and unashamedly indulge in a deep interest in a technical or niche topic.

In plain English

To get really excited and talk a lot about something you love, especially something nerdy or technical.

What does "geek out" mean?

2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.

1 B1 idiomatic informal

To express intense, unrestrained enthusiasm about a niche or technical subject.

"Sorry — I tend to geek out about typography whenever someone asks me about design."

inseparable
2 B1 idiomatic informal

To spend time deeply engaged in a technical or hobby-related activity with great enjoyment.

"We stayed up until 2 a.m. geeking out over retro video games from the 1980s."

inseparable

Literal vs figurative

Words literally mean

A geek (enthusiast) fully comes out — they let their passion show completely.

Actually means

To get really excited and talk a lot about something you love, especially something nerdy or technical.

Usage tip

Positive in connotation — the speaker is usually cheerfully aware of their own enthusiasm. Very common in internet and pop culture discourse. Often followed by 'about' or 'over'. Part of the broader reclamation of 'geek' as a positive identity.

Words that pair with "geek out"

Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.

technology comics science history films data

How to conjugate "geek out"

The five tense forms you'll use most often.

Base
geek out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
geeks out
he/she/it
Past simple
geeked out
yesterday
Past participle
geeked out
have + pp
-ing form
geeking out
continuous

Hear "geek out" in the wild

Listen to native speakers using "geek out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.

Other ways to say "geek out"

Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.

enthuse fanboy over geek over go deep on nerd out obsess over

Keep exploring

Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.