peak
Peak (noun) means the pointed top of a mountain or hill. Example: “Snow covered the peak long after the valley had thawed.”
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.
Don't confuse with "peek" (a quick look) or "pique" (to provoke interest, as in "piqued my curiosity") — all three sound identical.
Word forms
more peak comparative, peaked past tense, peaks plural, Peaks plural, peaks singular, most peak superlative
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".
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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