peak
20 synonyms and 0 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.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use peak
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
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.