Meanings
plural Jesus freaks
- slangChristianityAn enthusiastic Christian.
What will people say when they hear that I'm a Jesus freak? What will people do when they find out it's true? I don't really care if they label me a Jesus freak. There ain't no disguisin' the truth.
1995, “Jesus Freak”, TobyMac (lyrics), performed by dc Talk - derogatoryslangOne who is perceived to be showily, sanctimoniously, or obsessively Christian.
Synonyms & antonyms
Origin
The phrase originally was applied to those involved in the Jesus movement of the late 1960s and early 1970s, within the context of the freak scene of that era. This usage was seen as pejorative by outsiders and led to the derogatory use. However, some Christians now consider it a reclaimed word, as Christians, especially Christian youth, occasionally use it today as a positive term to let others know that they are not ashamed of their belief in Jesus.
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
Jesus freak. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Jesus%20freak
“Jesus freak.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Jesus%20freak. Accessed November 4, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Jesus freak,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Jesus%20freak.
Source: Jesus freak on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.