noun

peekaboo

PEE-kuh-boo

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Peekaboo (noun) means a game played with young children where someone hides their face and then suddenly reveals it. Example: “The baby giggled every time her dad played peekaboo.”

noun

A game played with young children where someone hides their face and then suddenly reveals it.

"The baby giggled every time her dad played peekaboo."

adj

Featuring holes, gaps, or sheer fabric that reveal something normally hidden.

"The model was wearing a peekaboo swimsuit."

"The dress had a peekaboo cutout at the back."

How to use peekaboo

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA baby game of hiding and revealing your face, or (as an adjective) something with partial, revealing gaps.

Common pairings

play peekaboo peekaboo cutout

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Third person singular: peekaboos
Past tense: peekabooed

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Can you complete this real example?

The baby giggled every time her dad played _____.

Etymology

A playful combination of "peek" and "boo," the exclamation used when revealing your face.

Synonyms

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bopeep

Rhymes for peekaboo

oo too moo poo loo foo doo boo woo roo coo goo

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Frequently asked questions

What does “peekaboo” mean?

The word “peekaboo” means a game played with young children where someone hides their face and then suddenly reveals it. In plain terms, a baby game of hiding and revealing your face, or (as an adjective) something with partial, revealing gaps.

How do you pronounce “peekaboo”?

“Peekaboo” is pronounced PEE-kuh-boo (/ˈpikəbu/ in IPA).

How do you use “peekaboo” in a sentence?

Here is “peekaboo” used in a sentence: “The baby giggled every time her dad played peekaboo.”

What part of speech is “peekaboo”?

Depending on how it is used, “peekaboo” can be a noun and an adjective.

How many meanings does “peekaboo” have?

“Peekaboo” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a game played with young children where someone hides their face and then suddenly reveals it.