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Synonyms

peaky

American  
[pee-kee] / ˈpi ki /

adjective

peakier, peakiest
  1. peaked.


peaky British  
/ ˈpiːkɪ /

adjective

  1. wan, emaciated, or sickly

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of peaky

First recorded in 1870–75; peak(ed) 2 + -y 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

It’s big, too, nearly 10 miles long, and peaky, with some squat concrete buildings up at the crest of one of the hills, and a single telegraph pole.

From Slate Sep. 8, 2026

When his mother was around eight or nine, she worked for bookmakers - who were called peaky blinders - when betting was illegal.

From BBC Aug. 10, 2024

Enjoy the display until your plant begins to look peaky, then give it a dignified toss into the compost.

From Seattle Times Jan. 1, 2022

The flow is "really flashy, really peaky," Ng says.

From Science Magazine Sep. 11, 2019

You look a bit peaky, if you don’t mind me saying so.”

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood

Poor fellow! he seemed peakier and more sallow than when I had seen him last.

From The Stark Munro Letters by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

In the peakiest year yet of the Peak TV era, the streaming platform that took the most shots netted the second highest number of nominations.

From Salon Jul. 16, 2019

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