peak

20 synonyms and 3 antonyms for peak, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — The pointed top of a mountain or hill.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

summit top crown tip point bill prime height flower

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

crest pinnacle apex elevation bloom flush blossom meridian

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

heyday acme visor

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

The pointed top of a mountain or hill.

“Snow covered the peak long after the valley had thawed.”

summit top crest pinnacle apex crown tip point bill prime height flower elevation bloom flush blossom meridian heyday acme visor

2. noun

The highest point or value that something reaches.

“Traffic hits its peak around 8am on weekdays.”

Opposites

trough nadir

3. adj

At the highest or best level; maximum.

“The gym is packed during peak hours after work.”

Opposites

off-peak

How to use peak

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

peak season peak performance reach a peak past its peak

Etymology

From an older form related to "pike" — the same root that gives us the weapon and the sharp fish — ultimately from Old English pīc meaning "a sharp point".

Full origin of peak →

Frequently asked questions

What does “peak” mean?

The word “peak” means the pointed top of a mountain or hill. In plain terms, the highest point of something, whether a mountain, a value, or a period of success — also used as a verb meaning to reach that highest point.

How do you pronounce “peak”?

“Peak” is pronounced peek (/piːk/ in IPA).

How do you use “peak” in a sentence?

Here is “peak” used in a sentence: “Snow covered the peak long after the valley had thawed.”

What part of speech is “peak”?

Depending on how it is used, “peak” can be a noun, an adjective and a verb.

Where does the word “peak” come from?

The word “peak” comes from Old English. From an older form related to "pike" — the same root that gives us the weapon and the sharp fish — ultimately from Old English pīc meaning "a sharp point".

Is “peak” a common word?

“Peak” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “peak” have?

“Peak” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the pointed top of a mountain or hill.

What is an example of a peak?

Mount Everest's summit is the most famous peak on Earth. The word names the sharp, highest point of a mountain or hill, like the snow-capped peak of the Matterhorn. By extension it describes any high point — the peak of a career, peak traffic hours, or the peak of a graph.

What is the opposite of a peak?

The opposite of a peak is the lowest point. For a landscape that means a valley, base or foot of the mountain. In figurative use — a peak in performance, sales or emotion — the opposite is a trough, a low or a dip. A peak is the high point; a trough is the bottom.

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Nearby words

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