peek
Americanverb (used without object)
noun
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.
Related Words
See peep 1.
Etymology
Origin of peek
First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English piken (verb); perhaps dissimilated variant of kiken “to look furtively, keek”; keek
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.
I love exploring Chinatown, peeking into the windows of jewelers boasting diamonds and gold and Rolexes, and discovering secret cinemas across the street from death doulas.
From Los Angeles Times
Our one peek into it comes when Darren phones Evy to pressure her to ditch her mom and come to a party.
From Los Angeles Times
In the sneak peek, Cyrus wears a Hannah Montana-style outfit and visits sets re-created from the original show — including the Stewart family living room and Hannah’s rotating closet — saying, “I’m already getting emotional.”
From Los Angeles Times
There’s a soft knock on my door, and Celia peeks in.
From Literature
Her eyes peeked out from behind skin that looked melted.
From Literature
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.
