Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

sneak peek

American  
[sneek peek] / ˈsnik ˈpik /

noun

Informal.

  1. a brief, exclusive, or illicit chance to see or experience something, especially something that will later be officially released to the public.

    The auto designers have released a sneak peek into their latest model, a one-of-a-kind custom build.

    Viewers were treated to some TV and movie sneak peeks during the big game's commercial breaks.

Etymology

Origin of sneak peek

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Through its business developing custom flavors for other food and beverage companies, McCormick gets a sneak peek at what the rest of the industry is doing.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

Sony Pictures Entertainment kicked off CinemaCon on Monday with a sneak peek of "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" and a new installment of "Jumanji".

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

The trailer also offers a sneak peek at continued battles in the universe, even years after Paul, the “chosen one,” becomes emperor.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2026

And here’s a sneak peek at what the new newsletter will look like.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 8, 2026

“I can’t lie. I have never been good at it. Oh dear, okay. A quick sneak peek, but no more. And you tell no one of this. Got it?”

From "Witchlings" by Claribel A. Ortega

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.