peek
Americanverb (used without object)
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peeks,
present (3rd person singular)
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peeked,
past participle, past
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peeking
present participle
noun
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peeks
plural
verb
noun
Usage
What's the difference between peek, peak, and pique? The word peek is most commonly used as a verb meaning to look at something quickly or sneakily and as a noun referring to such a look. The word peak refers to the top of a mountain or, more figuratively, to the highest point of something, as in the peak of my career. The less frequently used word pique is most commonly used as a verb meaning to arouse or excite a particular feeling, as in Advertisements are designed to pique your interest. The confusion surrounding the three words—all three of which can be used as both a verb and a noun—is mainly due to the fact that they are all pronounced the same. Since peek and peak are so close in spelling, one way to tell them apart is to remember that peek has two e’s, which kind of look like two little eyes peeking out between the p and the k. Another way to remember this is that peek has two e’s like look has two o’s. To remember what pique means (and how to spell it), remember that the things that pique your interest or curiosity are often unique. Here’s an example of peek, peak, and pique used correctly in a sentence. Example: The image of the strange mountain peak on the cover was meant to pique your curiosity, and it worked—you picked up the magazine to peek inside. Want to learn more? Read the breakdown of the difference between peeked, peaked, and piqued.
Synonym Usage
See peep 1.
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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peeksimple
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peekssimple
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have peekedperfect
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has peekedperfect
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am peekingprogressive
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are peekingprogressive
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is peekingprogressive
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have been peekingperfect progressive
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has been peekingperfect progressive
Past
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peekedsimple
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had peekedperfect
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was peekingprogressive
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were peekingprogressive
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had been peekingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of peek
First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English piken (verb); perhaps dissimilated variant of kiken “to look furtively, keek”; see keek
Explanation
When you peek, you take a quick glance at something. It's incredibly tempting when you're little to peek at your birthday presents, but you soon learn how disappointing it is to spoil the surprise. A sneaky look at something is a peek. You might peek at someone if you're shy or you don't want them to catch you looking. You can also describe a glance at a part of something as "a peek" — like when you take a peek at a napping child. Peek comes from piken, a 14th century word meaning "look quickly and slyly." Until the 15th century, the word peek was used interchangeably with keek and peep.
Vocabulary lists containing peek
Some Tricky Homonyms
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Commonly Confused Words, List 3
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"The War of the Wall" by Toni Cade Bambara
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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:
At a time when bills are going up, however, credit scores can offer a peek at what’s happening at different income levels.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 13, 2026
“I want to be able to get higher so I can see him,” he said while craning his neck to get a peek at the billboard.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 8, 2026
But you’re urged to also peek at the views beyond this pretty thing right in front of you, starting with the price tag.
From Salon ● Jul. 24, 2026
A peek into the future of restaurant reservations: If you’re making plans for a fancy dinner this weekend, take note: A big “upgrade” is coming to your favorite restaurants—to diners’ detriment.
From Slate ● Jul. 24, 2026
She longed to take a peek, but alas, because of his pirate oath, his work must be done in secret.
From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood
A-list stars and directors were on hand to give peeks at what to expect.
From BBC ● Apr. 17, 2026
Jareth peeks at her from between the masked dancers whirling around her, hiding and seeking, smiling gently, for once, as “As the World Falls Down” lilts behind the action.
From Salon ● Jan. 24, 2026
When asked about his hair, which peeks out from underneath a black beret-style hat, a wide grin stretches across his face.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 18, 2025
A bit of sun peeks out behind a mountain and reflects in the ocean.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 30, 2025
As I stand there feeling sorry for myself, Mango peeks out from his hiding place, looks around, then tentatively crawls out and winds himself around my legs.
From "A Mango-Shaped Space" by Wendy Mass
"I peeked up at the screen, saw I had a bit of a gap, and I felt great," added the Edinburgh athlete, who has been racing at Scotstoun since he was a child.
From BBC ● Aug. 1, 2026
As Carter peeked through a crack in the tomb’s sealed door, his exchange with Carnarvon ranks as one of the most famous in all archaeology: “ ‘Can you see anything?’
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 9, 2026
The truck lumbered through the forest in the setting sun, stopping at a grove of bigcone Douglas-fir trees, where West and a colleague unloaded the cage, lifted the door and waited as Orange peeked outside.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 17, 2025
The Equihua crew was easy to spot as massive, colored wings peeked through the trees.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 14, 2025
A nose peeked out—a tiny pink nose—and then two slanted-closed eyes, a forehead covered in downy fuzz, little ears still curled tight against its head.
From "A Boy Called Bat" by Elana K. Arnold
Some had trees growing through fallen roofs, one had a wasp nest peeking out the window, and many had red diamonds indicating they were at risk of collapse.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026
Under the scorching heat on Tuesday morning, Torres del Limonar is a shattered mountain of rubble, with mattresses, furniture, and belongings peeking out from the concrete.
From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026
Think Apple watches so you don’t get caught peeking at your phone.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 3, 2026
A protective barrier prevented her from entering, and the deteriorating balconies made it look a bit unsafe, but peeking through the windows, she was entranced by the yellow kitchen.
From Slate ● Feb. 1, 2026
Annie was crouched at the side of the curtain, peeking through it.
From "The Million Dollar Shot" by Dan Gutman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
