peek

American  

[peek] / pik /

verb (used without object)

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

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noun

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

peek British  

/ piːk /

verb

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

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noun

1. a quick or furtive glance

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

I know I won’t be able to sleep, so after a while, I go and peek through the blinds.

From Literature

There was a knock on the door, followed almost immediately by Hannah and her sloth peeking through the opening.

From Literature

Doubtless there will be people trying to peek in from outside, but there will be no prying eyes inside the circuit.

From BBC

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

Surgery scar peeking from behind a black blazer, their gaze is both soft and firm.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• glance
• peep
• snoop