peep
1[ peep ]
/ pip /
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verb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
to show or protrude slightly.
noun
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We could talk until we're blue in the face about this quiz on words for the color "blue," but we think you should take the quiz and find out if you're a whiz at these colorful terms.
Question 1 of 8
Which of the following words describes “sky blue”?
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Origin of peep
1First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English pepe; assimilated variant of peek
synonym study for peep
1, 2. 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.
Other definitions for peep (2 of 3)
peep2
[ peep ]
/ pip /
noun
any of various small sandpipers.
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)
Origin of peep
2First 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
Other definitions for peep (3 of 3)
Origin of peep
3An Americanism dating back to 1940–45; apparently alteration of Jeep
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
How to use peep in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for peep (1 of 2)
peep1
/ (piːp) /
verb (intr)
to look furtively or secretly, as through a small aperture or from a hidden place
to appear partially or brieflythe sun peeped through the clouds
noun
a quick or furtive look
the first appearancethe peep of dawn
Word Origin for peep
C15: variant of peek
British Dictionary definitions for peep (2 of 2)
peep2
/ (piːp) /
verb (intr)
(esp of young birds) to utter shrill small noises
to speak in a thin shrill voice
noun
a peeping sound
US any of various small sandpipers of the genus Calidris (or Erolia) and related genera, such as the pectoral sandpiper
Word Origin for peep
C15: of imitative origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Medical definitions for peep
PEEP
abbr.
positive end-expiratory pressure
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Other Idioms and Phrases with peep
peep
see hear a peep out of.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.