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pique

1
[ peek ]
/ pik /
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See synonyms for: pique / piqued / piquing on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object), piqued, piqu·ing.
verb (used without object), piqued, piqu·ing.
to arouse pique in someone: an action that piqued when it was meant to soothe.
noun
a feeling of irritation or resentment, as from a wound to pride or self-esteem: to be in a pique.
Obsolete. a state of irritated feeling between persons.
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
candystring
candyfloss
candypuff
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Origin of pique

1
First recorded in 1525–35; from Middle French pique (noun), piquer (verb) from Vulgar Latin piccare (unattested) “to pick”; see pick1, pickax, pike2, piqué

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH pique

peak, peek, pique , piqué

Other definitions for pique (2 of 3)

pique2
[ peek ]
/ pik /
noun Piquet.
pic2.

Other definitions for pique (3 of 3)

piqué
[ pi-key, pee-; French pee-key ]
/ pɪˈkeɪ, pi-; French piˈkeɪ /
noun, plural pi·qués [pi-keyz, pee-; French pee-key] /pɪˈkeɪz, pi-; French piˈkeɪ/ for 2.
a fabric of cotton, spun rayon, or silk, woven lengthwise with raised cords.
Ballet. a step in which the dancer steps onto the tip of the toe without bending the knee.
ornamentation by means of punched or stippled patterns, sometimes inlaid with metal, ivory, tortoise shell, etc.
adjective
(of glove seams and gloves) stitched through lapping edges.
decorated with inlay: a piqué box.
Also pi·que [pi-key, pee-;] /pɪˈkeɪ, pi-;/ .

Origin of piqué

1830–40; <French, past participle of piquer “to quilt, prick”; see pique1

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH piqué

peak, peek, pique, piqué
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to pique

annoyance, displeasure, exasperation, irritation, annoy, arouse, displease, excite, gall, galvanize, ignite, incense, irk, irritate, kindle, offend, rile, stimulate, whet, blowup

How to use pique in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for pique (1 of 3)

pique1
/ (piːk) /
noun
a feeling of resentment or irritation, as from having one's pride wounded
verb piques, piquing or piqued (tr)
to cause to feel resentment or irritation
to excite or arouse
(foll by on or upon) to pride or congratulate (oneself)

Word Origin for pique

C16: from French, from piquer to prick, sting; see pick 1

British Dictionary definitions for pique (2 of 3)

pique2
/ (piːk) piquet /
noun
a score of 30 points made by a player from a combination of cards held before play begins and from play while his opponent's score is nil
verb
to score a pique (against)

Word Origin for pique

C17: from French pic, of uncertain origin

British Dictionary definitions for pique (3 of 3)

piqué
/ (ˈpiːkeɪ) /
noun
a close-textured fabric of cotton, silk, or spun rayon woven with lengthwise ribs

Word Origin for piqué

C19: from French piqué pricked, from piquer to prick
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
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