geek
Enthusiast, often mocked
A geek is someone obsessively devoted to a particular interest or field, especially one considered niche or technical: a computer geek, a film geek, a history geek.
The word once meant a carnival performer who did bizarre acts, then shifted to mean any socially awkward person.
Now it's often worn proudly—geek culture celebrates passionate expertise in gaming, comics, technology, and similar pursuits.
To geek out is to enthusiastically discuss or engage with one's obsession.
Brainy social misfit
- dorkSocially inept person
- dweebSocially inept person
- bookwormVoracious reader
- eggheadSlang for intellectual
Poindexter · square · brainiac · know-it-all · wonk · anorak · socially awkward · glasses
Dressing as media characters
- conventionsAccepted social practices
- fanfictionAmateur work using existing characters
- collectiblesItems people amass
- merchandiseCommercial products offered
anime · manga · comics · fanart · Trekkie · Whovian · Potterhead · gaming
Knowledgeable, passionate follower
- devoteeZealous admirer or follower
- buffAvid fan; also burnish
- hobbyistRecreational pursuer of interests
- fanaticOverly zealous person
collector · connoisseur · junkie · nut · fiend · addict · maven · superfan
One who writes software
- coderOne who programs
- hackerUnauthorized system accessor
- softwarePrograms directing computer operations
- hardwareMetal goods and fittings
gadget · gizmo · tinkerer · sysadmin · developer · engineer · modder · techie
Pop culture gathering
- Dungeons & DragonsFantasy tabletop roleplaying game
- Star WarsIconic space fantasy franchise
- Star TrekSpacefaring TV franchise
- MarvelSuperhero media conglomerate
DC · sci-fi · fantasy · Harry Potter · Lord of the Rings · Doctor Who · video games · board games
Satisfaction from one's achievements
- identityWho someone is
- communityCollective of connected people
- subcultureGroup with alternative norms
- tribeSocial group sharing ancestry
belonging · acceptance · empowerment · authenticity · passion · expertise · obsession · deep dive
nerd
Brainy social misfit
egghead · Poindexter · square · brainiac · know-it-all · wonk · anorak · socially awkward · glasses · pocket protector
cosplay
Dressing as media characters
- conventionsAccepted social practices
- fanfictionAmateur work using existing characters
- collectiblesItems people amass
merchandise · anime · manga · comics · fanart · Trekkie · Whovian · Potterhead · gaming · LARP
aficionado
Knowledgeable, passionate follower
- devoteeZealous admirer or follower
- buffAvid fan; also burnish
- hobbyistRecreational pursuer of interests
fanatic · collector · connoisseur · junkie · nut · fiend · addict · maven · superfan · completist
programmer
One who writes software
- coderOne who programs
- hackerUnauthorized system accessor
- softwarePrograms directing computer operations
hardware · gadget · gizmo · tinkerer · sysadmin · developer · engineer · modder · techie · IT
Comic-Con
Pop culture gathering
- Dungeons & DragonsFantasy tabletop roleplaying game
- Star WarsIconic space fantasy franchise
- Star TrekSpacefaring TV franchise
Marvel · DC · sci-fi · fantasy · Harry Potter · Lord of the Rings · Doctor Who · video games · board games · tabletop
pride
Satisfaction from one's achievements
- identityWho someone is
- communityCollective of connected people
- subcultureGroup with alternative norms
tribe · belonging · acceptance · empowerment · authenticity · passion · expertise · obsession · deep dive · niche
Opposed to educated thought
philistine · lowbrow · dolt · dunce · idiot
geekcool kid
Socially admired young person
jock · popular kid · socialite · prom queen · quarterback
geekslacker
Idle responsibility evader
goof-off · dilettante · dabbler · underachiever · goldbrick
- geeking outEnthusiastic obsessive immersion
- computer geekTechnology-obsessed person
- geek outIndulge intense enthusiasm
- band geeksPassionate school musicians
- tech geekElectronics-obsessed hobbyist
- geek chicIntellectual aesthetic made fashionable
geeks, geeky, geeking, geekiness, geekdom, geekish, geekier, geekiest, geekspeak