pique

1
[ peek ]
/ pik /

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.

QUIZZES

TAKE ROUND 2 OF OUR PSAT VOCABULARY QUIZ!

Here is our second set of teacher-selected PSAT vocabulary words. Do you know the meanings of these terms?
Question 1 of 10
advocate
to give up possession or occupancy of.
to speak or write in favor of; support or urge by argument; recommend publicly.
to pronounce or decree by judicial sentence.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of pique

1
1525–35; < Middle French pique (noun), piquer (v.) < Vulgar Latin *piccare to pick1; see pickax, pike2, piqué

SYNONYMS FOR pique

1 offend, sting, nettle, vex, irritate, chafe.
2 affront.
3 stimulate, stir, prick, incite, goad.

ANTONYMS FOR pique

1 please.
2 compliment.

OTHER WORDS FROM pique

un·piqued, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH pique

peak peek pique piqué

Words nearby pique

pipsissewa, pipsqueak, pipy, piqua, piquant, pique, piquet, piquillo, piqué, pir, piracicaba
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to piquing

annoyance, displeasure, annoy, ignite, irk, displease, excite, irritate, gall, rile, arouse, incense, whet, offend, kindle, stimulate, galvanize, provocation, tiff, ruckus

Example sentences from the Web for piquing

British Dictionary definitions for piquing (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 piquing (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 piquing (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