peep

[ peep ]

/ pip /

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See synonyms for: peep / peeped / peeping / peeps on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)

to look through a small opening or from a concealed location.

to look slyly, pryingly, or furtively.

to look curiously or playfully.

to come partially into view; begin to appear: the first crocuses peeping through the snow-covered ground.

verb (used with object)

to show or protrude slightly.

noun

a quick or furtive look or glance.

the first appearance, as of dawn.

an aperture for looking through.

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Origin of peep

First 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

a short, shrill little cry or sound, as of a young bird; cheep; squeak.

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)

to utter the short, shrill little cry of a young bird, a mouse, etc.; cheep; squeak.

to speak in a thin, weak voice.

Origin of peep

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

Other definitions for peep (3 of 3)

peep³

[ peep ]

/ pip /

noun

Jeep.

Origin of peep

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use peep in a sentence

Before the credits rolled, I’d grown quite comfortable using Miles’s cloaking ability to surgically pick off enemies by dangling above their heads and sweeping them up in a web or knocking them out from behind before they’d make a peep.
‘Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales’: Like its movie counterparts, a confident and entertaining spectacle|Christopher Byrd|November 6, 2020|Washington Post
Hot this week: “A toaster takes a stand against inappropriate peeping!”
Five Subreddits You May Have Missed, and Probably Still Should Give a Miss|Kelly Williams Brown|April 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Twilight star was spotted in Australia wearing a baseball cap with no visible hair peeping out of its side.
Karl Lagerfeld and Keira Knightley’s New Film; Tilda Swinton May Dress as David Bowie|The Fashion Beast Team|March 19, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Yoshiyuki was spying on the Peeping Toms while they were spying on the unsuspecting lovers.
Furtive Photography|Philip Gefter|May 27, 2010|DAILY BEAST

“We shall make Mr. Pickwick pay for peeping,” said Fogg, with considerable native humour, as he unfolded his papers.
The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, v. 2(of 2)|Charles Dickens
Just as it disappeared from view he caught a glimpse of a charming little girl, peeping out of a latticed window beside the door.
Davy and The Goblin|Charles E. Carryl
Ibrahim was standing there, peeping out whimsically from his fringed and tasselled wrappings, and smoking a cigarette.
Bella Donna|Robert Hichens
"Sh-h—be quiet," warned Betty, peeping again through the slit in the curtain.
The Outdoor Girls in the Saddle|Laura Lee Hope
The dawn, peeping in between the flowered curtains, throws a white, innocent light over her cot.
Child Life In Town And Country|Anatole France

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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with peep

peep

see hear a peep out of.

peep

Origin of peep

synonym study for peep

Other definitions for peep (2 of 3)

Origin of peep

Other definitions for peep (3 of 3)

Origin of peep

Words related to peep

How to use peep in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for peep (1 of 2)

Word Origin for peep

British Dictionary definitions for peep (2 of 2)

Word Origin for peep

Other Idioms and Phrases with peep