A geek is someone who's passionate about a topic and knows a huge amount about it: film geek, map geek, history geek. Computers are just one option. People happily say it about themselves: I'm a total map geek. About someone else, it can sound mocking, like calling them an uncool know-it-all. Neutrally, enthusiast.
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a computer / film / history geek; a geek about something
- I am a map geek and can spend hours comparing old street plans.
- The film geeks in our group noticed the reference immediately.
- She calls herself a gardening geek because she keeps notes on every seed.
What changed
First versionI'm map geek, so I collect old atlases.
RevisionI'm a map geek, so I collect old atlases.
A word like geek feels like a description, close to geeky, so the article gets dropped: I'm map geek. But geek is a countable noun, and in the singular it needs a: I'm a map geek.
An expert is defined by skill and qualifications. A geek is defined by passion and may not be a professional at all. Nerd is close to geek, but more often about studying: a maths nerd.
Your turn
I know every model in that collection; I'm ___ camera geek.
Show the answer
a — Camera starts with the consonant sound /k/, so a camera geek. The article depends on the first sound of the next word.
Describe someone you know who is obsessed with a topic. Use geek and show the passion through a specific habit.
My uncle is a train geek who can identify a locomotive from its sound.
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