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peekaboo

American  
[peek-uh-boo] / ˈpik əˌbu /

noun

  1. Also called bo-peep.  a game played by or with very young children, typically in which one covers the face or hides and then suddenly uncovers the face or reappears, calling “Peekaboo!”


adjective

  1. Clothing.

    1. decorated with openwork.

    2. made of a sheer and revealing material, as some blouses for women.

  2. appearing briefly and then vanishing, or promising to appear but failing to do so.

    the fluctuating response of the stock market to a peekaboo economic recovery.

peekaboo British  
/ ˈpiːkəˌbuː /

noun

  1. a game for young children, in which one person hides his face and suddenly reveals it and cries "peekaboo."

"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

adjective

  1. (of a garment) made of fabric that is almost transparent or patterned with small holes

"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

Etymology

Origin of peekaboo

1590–1600; peek + -a- connective + boo 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.

Other tracks include tv off, dodger blue, peekaboo, and gnx.

From BBC • Nov. 23, 2024

Babies love playing peekaboo, continuing to react even on the tenth sudden appearance of their partner in the game.

From Science Daily • Jan. 3, 2024

Almost every look from SS19 was a wearable game of peekaboo.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 7, 2023

I was drawn to the fanciful clothing — things like rope-yarn tops and peekaboo rower shorts — that were a universe removed from my fat boy pants.

From New York Times • Jun. 9, 2023

After a moment, I could see the green ground below again, playing peekaboo with me through holes in the clouds.

From "The Lions of Little Rock" by Kristin Levine