verb
Uncommon
peek
peek
Peek (verb) means to look quickly or slyly, often through a small gap or without being noticed. Example: “She peeked through the curtains to see who was at the door.”
verb
1
To look quickly or slyly, often through a small gap or without being noticed.
"She peeked through the curtains to see who was at the door."
"He peeked at the answer key when the teacher wasn't looking."
noun
1
A quick or furtive look.
"Can I take a peek at the birthday cake before the party?"
How to use peek
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA quick, often secretive look at something.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "peak" (a summit or highest point) or "pique" (to provoke interest or irritation) — all three sound alike.
Common pairings
take a peek
peek inside
sneak a peek
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Word forms
- Plural
- peeks
- Third person singular
- peeks
- Past tense
- peeked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ through the curtains to see who was at the door.
Etymology
From Middle English words meaning "to peep" or "to spy," likely blending "peep" and an older word for "look narrowly."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for peek
See all rhymes for peek →Frequently asked questions
What does “peek” mean?
The word “peek” means to look quickly or slyly, often through a small gap or without being noticed. In plain terms, a quick, often secretive look at something.
How do you pronounce “peek”?
“Peek” is pronounced peek (/piːk/ in IPA).
How do you use “peek” in a sentence?
Here is “peek” used in a sentence: “She peeked through the curtains to see who was at the door.”
What part of speech is “peek”?
Depending on how it is used, “peek” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “peek” come from?
The word “peek” comes from Middle English. From Middle English words meaning "to peep" or "to spy," likely blending "peep" and an older word for "look narrowly.".
Is “peek” a common word?
“Peek” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “peek” have?
“Peek” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to look quickly or slyly, often through a small gap or without being noticed.
What is the difference between peek and peak?
Peek means to look quickly or slyly, often through a small gap or without being noticed, while peak refers to the highest point of something, such as a mountain peak. The two words are homophones but have completely unrelated meanings.
What is the difference between peek and peep?
Peek and peep both describe a quick, often secretive look, and the words are used very similarly in everyday speech. Peek tends to emphasize looking through a gap or briefly, while peep can also suggest a small sound, though as a look the two overlap closely.
Can peek be used as a noun as well as a verb?
Yes, peek works as both a verb, meaning to look quickly or slyly, and a noun, meaning a quick or furtive look, as in "take a peek." Both uses are common in everyday English.
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