As each generation emerges, so do new expressions and terms, with one such term, ‘freak matching,’ generating curiosity despite its surprisingly innocent nature.
With the passage of time, every new cohort tends to favor contemporary language over the antiquated expressions of previous generations.
Reflect on your teenage years; you likely used words that have now become mainstream or have faded away.
If you’re part of today’s youth, brace yourself—it will happen to you too.
The phrase ‘freak matching’ might initially sound more risqué than it actually is.
Can you guess its meaning offhand? Do you understand why it seems to be gaining traction as a dating trend poised to continue into the coming year?
The dating platform Plenty of Fish has even identified ‘freak matching’ as a notable dating trend for 2025. It is essentially defined as forming a connection with someone through shared peculiarities, eccentricities, unique interests, or general idiosyncrasies.
The platform suggests incorporating “Freak Matching” into a sentence like this: “When I find someone as weird as me, I’ll know they’re my Freak Matching soulmate.”
So, there’s no need for any inappropriate thoughts—the idea is far more innocent.
The term gained popularity following the release of Tinashe’s song ‘Nasty,’ where she uses the phrase in a suggestive manner.
In her lyrics, Tinashe asks, “Is somebody gonna match my freak/Is somebody gonna match my freak/Is somebody gonna match my nasty/I got stamina, they say I’m an athlete/Is somebody gonna match my freak?”
Kelly Elizabeth Wright, an assistant professor of language sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, provides insight into Gen-Z’s more positive use of the term and how similar attitudes manifest across generations.
In a conversation with Today.com, she noted: “Songs about freaks appear every decade, span every genre of music, and are bops more often than not; being a freak is something we clearly love to sing about.
“These songs present everything from light-hearted conversations about accepting oneself; to encouragement to flaunt your own freakiness; to powerful confessionals about adversity, ostracism, and exploitation; to support for rebellion and engagement in radical and liberating self-expression; to empowerment for sexually uninhibited women.”
So, if you wish to relate to the younger crowd, you’re now equipped with all the knowledge you need about freak matching. You’re welcome.