peep

1 of 4

verb (1)

ˈpēp 

peeped; peeping; peeps

intransitive verb

1

: to utter a feeble shrill sound as of a bird newly hatched : cheep

2

: to utter the slightest sound

peep

2 of 4

noun (1)

1

: a feeble shrill sound : cheep

2

: a slight utterance especially of complaint or protest

3

: any of several small sandpipers

peep

3 of 4

verb (2)

peeped; peeping; peeps

intransitive verb

1

a

: to peer through or as if through a crevice

b

: to look cautiously or slyly

2

: to begin to emerge from or as if from concealment : show slightly

transitive verb

1

: to put forth or cause to protrude slightly

2

slang : to have a look at : see, watch

peep

4 of 4

noun (2)

1

: a first glimpse or faint appearance

at the peep of dawn

2

a

: a brief look : glance

b

: a furtive look

Synonyms

Verb (1)

• chirp

Noun (2)

• peek
• glimpse
• glance
• look

Examples of peep in a Sentence

Verb (1)

the baby peeps and burbles when her mother picks her up

Noun (2)

stole a peep at our neighbor's new pool

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Webcam Protection prevents pervs from peeping through your webcam, and Privacy Service (in combination with the parental control system, oddly) halts accidental or malicious transmission of your personal information. —PC Magazine, 20 July 2025

At any rate, our Midwest peeps still drop a line now and again. —Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 19 July 2025

Noun

But there was nary a peep of dissent in Dove Valley on the Broncos’ first ramp-up day of training camp Wednesday, even as negotiation season intensifies in the NFL. —Luca Evans, Denver Post, 23 July 2025

And now that your hood's being invaded by the biggest gang there is, there ain't a peep out of you. —Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English pepen, of imitative origin

Verb (2)

Middle English pepen, perhaps alteration of piken to peek

First Known Use

Verb (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun (2)

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing peep

• peep show
• peep sight

Rhymes for peep

• beep
• cheap
• creep
• deep
• heap
• jeep
• keep
• leap
• reap
• seep
• sheep
• sleep

Kids Definition

peep

1 of 4 verb

ˈpēp 

1

: to make a feeble shrill sound as of a bird newly hatched

2

: to speak with a small weak voice

peep

2 of 4 noun

: a quick high-pitched sound

peep

3 of 4 verb

1

: peek sense 2, peer

2

: to show slightly

crocuses peeping through the snow

peep

4 of 4 noun

1

: the first appearance

the peep of dawn

2

: a brief or sly look

Etymology

Verb

Middle English pepen "to peep, make the sound of a young bird"; the word began as an imitation of the sound made by a young bird

Verb

Middle English pepen "to peek," an altered form of earlier piken "to peek"

Medical Definition

PEEP

abbreviation

positive end-expiratory pressure