peep
Peep (noun) means a short, high-pitched sound, like that of a baby bird. Example: “A faint peep came from the nest as the chicks woke up.”
How to use peep
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA quick, sneaky look, or the tiny chirping sound of a young bird — also used for something starting to show itself.
Very close in meaning to "peek" — both mean a quick, often secretive look, and they're largely interchangeable.
Word forms
peeped past tense, peeped past tense, peeps plural, peeps plural, peeps plural, peeps plural, Peeps plural, peeps singular, peeps singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A faint _____ came from the nest as the chicks woke up.
Etymology
From Middle English pepen, likely echoing the sound itself — similar words exist in Dutch and German for the chirp of small birds.
Related words
Rhymes for peep
See all rhymes for peep →Frequently asked questions
What does “peep” mean?
The word “peep” means a short, high-pitched sound, like that of a baby bird. In plain terms, a quick, sneaky look, or the tiny chirping sound of a young bird — also used for something starting to show itself.
How do you pronounce “peep”?
“Peep” is pronounced peep (/pip/ in IPA).
How do you use “peep” in a sentence?
Here is “peep” used in a sentence: “A faint peep came from the nest as the chicks woke up.”
What part of speech is “peep”?
Depending on how it is used, “peep” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “peep” come from?
The word “peep” comes from Middle English. From Middle English pepen, likely echoing the sound itself — similar words exist in Dutch and German for the chirp of small birds.
Is “peep” a common word?
“Peep” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “peep” have?
“Peep” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a short, high-pitched sound, like that of a baby bird.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include peep: