˜yĐÄvlog

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View synonyms for

peek

[ peek ]

verb (used without object)

  1. to look or glance quickly or furtively, especially through a small opening or from a concealed location; peep; peer.


noun

  1. a quick or furtive look or glance; peep.

peek

/ ±èŸ±Ë°ì /

verb

  1. intr to glance quickly or furtively; peep
“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

noun

  1. a quick or furtive glance
“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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˜yĐÄvlog History and Origins

Origin of peek1

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English piken (verb); perhaps dissimilated variant of kiken “to look furtively, keek”; keek
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˜yĐÄvlog History and Origins

Origin of peek1

C14 pike, related to Middle Dutch kiken to peek
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Synonym Study

See peep 1.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The team strode into the arena wearing black shirts with her signature bun peeking out from a Nike swoosh.

From

My years in the animal care industry were a sociological study that gave me a peek at our culture’s real monsters.

From

This show provides a peek at what could be waiting for us on the other side of our discomfort with being in public – an answer key, if you will, widening our view of what’s possible.

From

You can get a sneak peek of her garden on her Instagram page @myflowerjam.

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A tiny head barely peeking out of the top of a carrier.

From

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Peek vs. Peak vs. Pique

What's the difference between peek,Ìępeak, and pique?

The word peek is most commonly used as a verb meaning to look at something quickly or sneakily and as a noun referring to such a look. The word peak refers to the top of a mountain or, more figuratively, to the highest point of something, as in the peak of my career. The less frequently used word pique is most commonly used as a verb meaning to arouse or excite a particular feeling, as in Advertisements are designed to pique your interest.

The confusion surrounding the three words—all three of which can be used as both a verb and a noun—is mainly due to the fact that they are all pronounced the same.

Since peek and peak are so close in spelling, one way to tell them apart is to remember that peek has two e’s, which kind of look like two little eyes peeking out between the p and the k. Another way to remember this is that peek has two e’s like look has two o’s.

To remember what pique means (and how to spell it), remember that the things that pique your interest or curiosity are often unique.

Here’s an example of peek, peak, and pique used correctly in a sentence.

Example: The image of the strange mountain peak on the cover was meant to pique your curiosity, and it worked—you picked up the magazine to peek inside.

Want to learn more? Read the breakdown of the difference between peeked, peaked, and piqued.

Quiz yourself on peek ±čČő.Ìępeak ±čČő.Ìępique!

Should peek, peak, or pique be used in the following sentence?

I can’t stay for long—I just want to take a quick _____ inside.

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