peep

¹

[ peep ]

verb (used without object)

1. to look through a small opening or from a concealed location.
2. to look slyly, pryingly, or furtively.
3. to look curiously or playfully.
4. to come partially into view; begin to appear:

   the first crocuses peeping through the snow-covered ground.

verb (used with object)

1. to show or protrude slightly.

noun

1. a quick or furtive look or glance.
2. the first appearance, as of dawn.
3. an aperture for looking through.

peep

²

[ peep ]

noun

1. a short, shrill little cry or sound, as of a young bird; cheep; squeak.
2. any of various small sandpipers.
3. a slight sound or remark, especially in complaint:

   I don't want to hear a peep out of any of you!

verb (used without object)

1. to utter the short, shrill little cry of a young bird, a mouse, etc.; cheep; squeak.
2. to speak in a thin, weak voice.

peep

³

[ peep ]

noun

1. Jeep.

peep

¹

/ piːp /

verb

1. (esp of young birds) to utter shrill small noises
2. to speak in a thin shrill voice

noun

1. a peeping sound
2. any of various small sandpipers of the genus Calidris (or Erolia ) and related genera, such as the pectoral sandpiper

peep

²

/ piːp /

verb

1. to look furtively or secretly, as through a small aperture or from a hidden place
2. to appear partially or briefly

   the sun peeped through the clouds

noun

1. a quick or furtive look
2. the first appearance

   the peep of dawn

Word History and Origins

Origin of peep¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English pepe; assimilated variant of peek

Origin of peep²

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English pepen, pipen; compare Dutch, German piepen, Old French piper, Latin pipāre, Greek pippízein, Czech pípat, Lithuanian pỹpti, all ultimately of imitative origin

Origin of peep³

An Americanism dating back to 1940–45; apparently alteration of Jeep ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of peep¹

C15: of imitative origin

Origin of peep²

C15: variant of peek

Idioms and Phrases

see hear a peep out of .

Synonym Study

Peep, peek, peer mean to look through, over, or around something. To peep or peek is usually to give a quick look through a narrow aperture or small opening, often furtively, slyly, or pryingly, or to look over or around something curiously or playfully: to peep over a wall; to peek into a room. Peek is often associated with children's games. To peer is to look continuously and narrowly for some time, especially in order to penetrate obscurity or to overcome some obstacle in the way of vision: The firefighter peered through the smoke.

Example Sentences

Instead, Mayor Todd Gloria took over in December, and his first 100 days passed without a peep about the project.

From Voice of San Diego

Nadal didn’t utter a peep but took his seat, changed his shirt and sent a clutch of rackets off the court for restringing.

From Washington Post

Marijuana advanced toward final passage with not even a peep from Republicans, a small number of whom might wind up supporting it.

From Washington Post

Currant-studded Chelsea buns sparkle under a sugary crust, and mincemeat filling peeps from the slashed tops of Eccles cakes.

From Washington Post

Then again, the younger crowd might prefer older peeps don’t download the app anyway.

From Fortune

This film elicited complaints from some on the left, but not a peep from the right.

From The Daily Beast

Not a peep from LaPierre on this extended assault on citizens of Ferguson, at least that I can find.

From The Daily Beast

This open secrecy served its purpose, says Peep Ehasalu, communications manager for the hotel.

From The Daily Beast

Ernst responded by accusing Braley of sexism because his ad, which featured a baby bird not making a peep, had a “chick” in it.

From The Daily Beast

There are 200 mosquitos from New Delhi caught and killed mid-bite, peep-show coins, and artifacts of daily life in North Korea.

From The Daily Beast

No notice being taken of the taps, the unseen visitor, after a short lapse, ventured to open the door and peep in.

From Project Gutenberg

No doubt, even in these choking circumstances, childish feeling may now and again peep out.

From Project Gutenberg

Yuh want t' keep your eye glued t' that peep-glass in the mornin', and not overlook no motions.

From Project Gutenberg

Every hundred yards or so I had a close peep at the ground in front through de Lisle's periscope.

From Project Gutenberg

"I was watching you through my little peep-hole—as you saw," he began, with a pleasant smile, advancing to shake hands.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• hoot