Gen Z wants potential partners, friends to 'match their freak'. Here's what the viral term means

Gen Z has yet again taken their quest for compatibility to another level. “Freak matching,” a term that’s swiftly becoming a part of modern dating lingo, is what the new generation is looking for in a potential partner. Contrary to its suggestive tone, this phrase is more about shared quirks and everyday joys than explicit undertones.

‘Matching your freak’ is when you want someone to go day by day with you and do the things that you love doing, but together. The term is often used platonically, showcasing its versatility in describing not just romantic but also platonic compatibility.

The term traces its roots to Tinashe’s 2023 song ‘Nasty’, which features the now-viral lyric, “Is somebody gonna match my freak?” While the track leans into suggestive themes, its broader cultural adoption has been notably wholesome.

The rebranding of “freak” is not a new phenomenon. According to Kelly Elizabeth Wright, an assistant professor of language sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, songs celebrating individuality and “freakiness” emerge every decade.