peep

¹ American  

[peep] / pip /

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.

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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 American  

[peep] / pip /

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!

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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 American  

[peep] / pip /

noun

1. Jeep.

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peep ¹ British  

/ 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

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noun

1. a quick or furtive look

2. the first appearance

   the peep of dawn

peep ² British  

/ piːp /

verb

1. (esp of young birds) to utter shrill small noises

2. to speak in a thin shrill voice

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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 Idioms  

1. see hear a peep out of.

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Related Words

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.

Etymology

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. )

Explanation

To peep is to take a quick, secret glance at something. Kids might peep into the living room on Christmas morning to see if Santa came the night before. You can peep through the blinds to see who's ringing your doorbell, or watch the sky, hoping the sun will peep (or suddenly appear) from behind the clouds so you can go to the beach as planned. Another kind of peep is the high chirping sound a chick or baby bird makes. This second meaning is imitative — in other words, the word peep sounds like the noise itself.

Example Sentences

Unreliability creeps in at the edges of his storytelling, and glimpses of chaos and confusion peep through the surface charm.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 16, 2026

This time around, hardly a peep has been heard.

From Salon • Oct. 2, 2025

Not a peep from the current city council, nor reflections from local publications or posts from local historical societies.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 25, 2025

I introduced myself; he thanked me for calling, then spoke for 40 consecutive minutes — I did not utter a peep — on a surreal range of topics.

From Seattle Times • May 27, 2024

The frightened chick made one small distress peep and that’s all it took.

From "Woodsong" by Gary Paulsen

Related Words

• hoot