definitions

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.

RELATED CONTENT

What’s The Difference Between “Piqued,” “Peeked,” And “Peaked?”The word set we’re examining today can send writers into a spiral of uncertainty when it comes to word choice, particularly in the context of one expression: piqued my interest, peaked my interest, or peeked my interest?
READ MORE
Word Trends: Cattywampus, Tantrum, BootySome words, such as affect, metaphor, and irony, hold relatively steady in lookups at Dictionary.com regardless of what’s happening in pop culture, politics, or social media. Other words shift wildly in rank and volume, often as a ripple effect of a news item or event that has piqued people’s curiosity—we call those trending words. Here are few of our favorite trending words from the week …
READ MORE

RELATED WORDS

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

Nearby words

pipsissewa, pipsqueak, pipy, piqua, piquant, pique, piquet, piquillo, piqué, pir, piracicaba

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.

Related forms

un·piqued, adjective

Can be confused

peak peek pique piqué
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for piquing

British Dictionary definitions for piquing (1 of 3)

pique

1
/ (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)

pique

2
/ (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