verb

pique

peek

Pique (verb) means to arouse someone's interest or curiosity, especially suddenly. Example: “The headline piqued my curiosity, so I read the whole article.”

verb

To arouse someone's interest or curiosity, especially suddenly.

"The headline piqued my curiosity, so I read the whole article."

"Something in her tone piqued his interest."

To wound someone's pride or make them feel resentful and irritated.

"He was piqued at not being invited to the meeting."

noun

A feeling of irritation or wounded pride, usually short-lived and caused by a slight.

"In a fit of pique she deleted the entire draft."

How to use pique

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo make someone suddenly interested — or, in the other sense, a bit of hurt-pride sulking.

When to use it

Standard in all registers. The noun almost always appears in the fixed phrase "a fit of pique".

Memory tip

Remember the spelling by the phrase "piqued my curiosity" — the interest is pricked, not peaked at the top of a mountain.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

peak → peek → piqué →

Common pairings

pique my interest piqued my curiosity a fit of pique piqued his pride

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The headline _____ my curiosity, so I read the whole article.

Etymology

From French piquer, "to prick, sting", which also gives English picket; the noun sense of wounded pride came into English first.

Origin: French

Synonyms

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arouse stimulate excite kindle whet irritate nettle affront offend annoy resentment umbrage

Antonyms

dull deaden

Related words

light beautiful dark stupid hurt slow sad wonderful

Rhymes for pique

rue due sue cue hue blue true flue clue glue imbue segue

See all rhymes for pique →

Frequently asked questions

Is it "piqued my interest" or "peaked my interest"?

"Piqued my interest" is correct. Pique means to prick or stimulate, so something that piques your interest pokes it awake. "Peaked" would mean your interest reached its maximum and started to decline, which is the opposite of what people mean.

What is the difference between pique, peak and peek?

Peak is a summit or a high point; peek is a quick look; pique is to stimulate interest or to irritate, and as a noun a fit of resentment. All three are pronounced the same, which is why they are so often swapped.

Can pique mean both interest and annoyance?

Yes. Both come from the idea of being pricked. When curiosity is pricked you are intrigued; when your pride is pricked you are offended. Context makes the difference clear.

What is the meaning of pique?

"pique" (verb) means to arouse someone's interest or curiosity, especially suddenly.

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