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Peek vs. Peak vs. Pique
Peek, peak, and pique: they sound the same but mean very different things.
The first one we learn is peek: it has to do with looking, especially furtively or quickly or through a small space, as in "open the box and peek inside." It's both a noun and a verb; when you peek, you take a peek. Our advice for remembering this one is to keep in mind that you peek in order to see.
Peak is the verb you use to talk about reaching a maximum, or coming to a highest point, literally or figuratively, as in "The meteor shower will last for several days but will peak on Sunday." Its noun counterpart, which refers to various pointed or projecting parts, is more common: something that peaks reaches a peak. Just as every mountain has a peak, thinking of the peak—the highest point—is the way to remember that peak is the choice for reaching the highest levels. Associating the "a" in peak with the "a" in maximum or with a capital "A" (the most mountain-like of letters) can be helpful.
Pique is the oddball of this trio. We know the "ique" spelling from the likes of technique, antique, and unique, but pique nonetheless looks a little exotic. It comes from a French word meaning literally "to prick," but its earliest English use was as a noun. The noun is still used: a pique is a transient feeling of wounded vanity—a kind of resentment. As a verb, pique was (and still is, especially in British English) used to mean "to arouse anger or resentment in," as in "Their rudeness piqued me." Now, however, it's most often our interest or curiosity that gets piqued—that is to say, our interest or curiosity is aroused, as in "The large key hanging next on the wall piqued my curiosity."
Pique has another meaning too, though it's less common than any of those already mentioned. Pique sometimes is used to mean "to take pride in (oneself)," as in "She piques herself on her editing skills."
Master this trio, and you can pique yourself on your word skills.
Examples of pique in a Sentence
David Gates, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2002
The posthumous revelation of Cheever's alcoholism, numerous infidelities and bisexuality may have piqued interest precisely because he presented himself so earnestly as the Man in the Brooks Brothers Suit.
—Mary Gordon, New York Times Book Review, 6 Oct. 1991
Some environmentalists worry that the natural behavior patterns of whales are being altered by tourist boats that pique the animals' curiosity.
—Jack McCallum, Sports Illustrated, 21 Aug. 1989
In case your interest is being piqued just an itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny … bit, the Davis Cup will confuse you totally by calling every competition between contending teams a "tie."
—Frank Deford, Sports Illustrated, 11 Apr. 1988
Brightly colored objects pique a baby's interest.
her seat companion piqued her by repeatedly poking her in the ribs
Noun (1)
And yet the democracy flourishing in Taiwan has been greeted in other parts of the Chinese-speaking world with a certain pique, and even with hostility.
—Ian Buruma, New Republic, 3 Apr. 2000
… when a beast that weighs 1,200 pounds goes crazy with some kind of stupid pique or jealousy in a room not much bigger than the handicapped stall in the Denver airport men's room, bad things will happen …
—Hunter S. Thompson, Rolling Stone, 15 Dec. 1994
He hit balls toward the umpire's chair and out of the stadium: he spat water toward the umpire on changeovers; and in still greater fits of pique, he broke three rackets.
—Jamie Diaz, Sports Illustrated, 2 Mar. 1987
After a moment of pique, the senator responded calmly to his accusers.
He slammed the door in a fit of pique.
Annie Blackman, InStyle, 26 Feb. 2026
Grace Tucker News that some school districts across the country are canceling photo days in the wake of rumors that popular photo service Lifetouch is mentioned in the Jeffrey Epstein files piqued my interest last week.
—Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 26 Feb. 2026
Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 27 Feb. 2026
But his message to Støre displayed a much more personal motivation—essentially a fit of pique at not being lauded by Norway’s most prestigious institution.
—Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 15 Feb. 2026
Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 27 Feb. 2026
But his message to Støre displayed a much more personal motivation—essentially a fit of pique at not being lauded by Norway’s most prestigious institution.
—Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pique
Cite this Entry
“Pique.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pique. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pique
1 of 3 nounpique
2 of 3 verb
