peek

[peek]

verb (used without object)

1. to look or glance quickly or furtively, especially through a small opening or from a concealed location; peep; peer.

noun

1. a quick or furtive look or glance; peep.

peek

/ piːk /

verb

1. (intr) to glance quickly or furtively; peep

noun

1. a quick or furtive glance

Word History and Origins

Origin of peek¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English piken (verb); perhaps dissimilated variant of kiken “to look furtively, keek”; keek

Word History and Origins

Origin of peek¹

C14 pike, related to Middle Dutch kiken to peek

Synonym Study

See peep ¹.

Example Sentences

The next time I walk by the local thrift, I decide to peek inside that giant silverware bin.

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At last, a sliver of confidence peeks out.

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A school notebook, dusty and dog-eared, peeked from the rubble.

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Only 6 miles from Taliesin, another wonder peeks out of the hills: the House on the Rock.

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A glitch that gave investors an early peek at downbeat news about Humana is turning out to be a positive for shares of the health insurer and its rivals.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• glance 
• peep 
• snoop 

When To Use

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.