Quick answer
Peak is the highest point; peek is a quick look. Memory hook: peek has two e's, like two eyes looking, while peak has an a, like the top of a mountain.
The core difference
Peak refers to the highest point of something, while peek means to look quickly or secretly.
- peak — the top of a mountain, or the highest point of something: Traffic hits its peak around 8am on weekdays.
- peek — to look quickly or slyly, or a quick look: Can I take a peek at the birthday cake?
- peak also works as a verb and adjective: His career peaked in his late twenties. The gym is packed during peak hours.
How to tell them apart
If the sentence is about looking, you want peek. If it is about a summit, a maximum or the best moment of something, you want peak.
The two e's in peek look like a pair of eyes, and a peek is something you do with your eyes. Peak has an a, as in the a-shaped point of a mountain.
Where the mix-up shows up
People often write sneak peak when they mean sneak peek, a quick early look at something. Because a peak can also mean the top, peak has a similar sound and looks plausible, but a sneak preview is always a peek.
Frequently asked questions
Is it sneak peek or sneak peak?
It is sneak peek, because you are getting a quick early look at something. Sneak peak is a common misspelling.
Is it peak hours or peek hours?
It is peak hours, meaning the busiest or highest-demand time of the day.
Are peak and peek pronounced the same?
Yes, they are homophones. Only the spelling and meaning tell them apart.
