adj
peaky
PEE-kee
Peaky (adj) means looking pale, tired, or slightly unwell. Example: “She'd been looking peaky ever since she caught that cold.”
adj
1
Looking pale, tired, or slightly unwell.
"She'd been looking peaky ever since she caught that cold."
How to use peaky
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA mostly British, informal way of saying someone looks pale or under the weather.
When to use it
Informal British English.
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Word forms
- Comparative
- peakier
- Superlative
- peakiest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She'd been looking _____ ever since she caught that cold.
Etymology
From peak + the adjective suffix -y.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for peaky
See all rhymes for peaky →Frequently asked questions
What does “peaky” mean?
The word “peaky” means looking pale, tired, or slightly unwell. In plain terms, a mostly British, informal way of saying someone looks pale or under the weather.
How do you pronounce “peaky”?
“Peaky” is pronounced PEE-kee (/ˈpiːki/ in IPA).
How do you use “peaky” in a sentence?
Here is “peaky” used in a sentence: “She'd been looking peaky ever since she caught that cold.”
What part of speech is “peaky”?
“Peaky” is an adjective.
