otaku
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
One with an obsessive interest in something, particularly (originally derogatory) an obsessive Japanese fan of anime or manga.
Register: slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “otaku” mean?
One with an obsessive interest in something, particularly (originally derogatory) an obsessive Japanese fan of anime or manga.
Is “otaku” formal or informal?
otaku is generally slang.