weird out: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, colloquial
Quick answer
What does “weird out” mean?
To cause someone to feel strange, uncomfortable, unsettled, or disturbed.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To cause someone to feel strange, uncomfortable, unsettled, or disturbed.
To make someone feel socially awkward, alienated, or psychologically unsettled, often through bizarre or unconventional behavior.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common and slightly earlier adoption in American English; understood but less frequent in British English.
Connotations
Both varieties share the core meaning. Slightly stronger 'unsettling' connotation in British usage where it is less common.
Frequency
High frequency in AmE informal speech; medium-to-low frequency in BrE, primarily among younger speakers influenced by American media.
Grammar
How to Use “weird out” in a Sentence
[Subject] weird out [Object][Subject] be weirded out by [Object]It weirded me out that...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “weird out” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The way he stared at the lamp for an hour really weirded us out.
- Don't do that, you'll weird out the neighbours.
- I was completely weirded out by the silence in that old house.
American English
- His conspiracy theories weirded everyone out at the party.
- That clown statue totally weirded me out.
- She weirded out her date by talking about alien abductions.
adverb
British English
- (Not standard)
American English
- (Not standard)
adjective
British English
- (Participial adjective) He had a weirded-out expression after the seance.
- I feel a bit weirded-out by the whole situation.
American English
- (Participial adjective) She was clearly weirded out by the proposal.
- They all had that weirded-out look.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. 'The CEO's sudden mystical rant weirded out the entire board.'
Academic
Virtually never used in formal writing.
Everyday
Common in casual conversation: 'That horror film totally weirded me out.'
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “weird out”
- *I weirded out. (Needs an object: I weirded him out.)
- *He was weird out. (Incorrect participle: He was weirded out.)
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is strictly informal and colloquial. Avoid in academic or business writing.
Almost never. It consistently describes a negative or unsettling experience.
'Freak out' implies a stronger, more panicked or extreme reaction. 'Weird out' is more about feeling unsettled, disturbed, or socially awkward.
The correct past tense is 'weirded out.' 'Weird outed' is incorrect.
To cause someone to feel strange, uncomfortable, unsettled, or disturbed.
Weird out: in British English it is pronounced /ˈwɪəd aʊt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈwɪrd aʊt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “weird out of one's mind”
- “weirded out of one's skull”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of WEIRD + OUT: if something is so weird it pushes you OUT of your comfort zone.
Conceptual Metaphor
STRANGENESS IS A FORCE (that can eject you from normality).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'weird out' CORRECTLY?