peak
peek
Peak (noun) means the pointed top of a mountain or hill. Example: “Snow covered the peak long after the valley had thawed.”
noun
1
The pointed top of a mountain or hill.
"Snow covered the peak long after the valley had thawed."
"We climbed for hours before reaching the rocky peak at last."
"Clouds hid the highest peak, so we could not see the summit."
2
The highest point or value that something reaches.
"Traffic hits its peak around 8am on weekdays."
"Sales reached their peak just before the holidays."
"The singer's popularity was at its peak when she left the stage."
adj
1
At the highest or best level; maximum.
"The gym is packed during peak hours after work."
"Train tickets cost more during peak times, so we travelled later."
"Peak season at the beach resort means all the hotels are full."
verb
1
To reach the highest point or value before declining.
"His career peaked in his late twenties."
"Cases of the virus peaked in January and then fell steadily."
"The river peaked overnight and then slowly went down again."
How to use peak
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe 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.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "peek" (a quick look) or "pique" (to provoke interest, as in "piqued my curiosity") — all three sound identical.
Common pairings
peak season
peak performance
reach a peak
past its peak
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Word forms
- Plural
- peaks
- Third person singular
- peaks
- Past tense
- peaked
- Comparative
- more peak
- Superlative
- most peak
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Snow covered the _____ long after the valley had thawed.
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".
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for peak
See all rhymes for 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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