J. M. FlaglerWinifred Bambrick
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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.
Synonyms
Examples of peek in a Sentence
Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 23 Apr. 2024
Underneath her collar sat a gold necklace peeking through that matched her gold hoop earrings, and her single gold ring on one hand.
—Essence, 22 Apr. 2024
Zendaya’s dress, which also featured black tulle peeking through the skirt's center slit, marked a departure from the 'tenniscore' looks the actress has been donning on the press tour for Challengers.
—Gabrielle Rockson, Peoplemag, 17 Apr. 2024
Additionally, the snug fit can help prevent light from peeking through.
—Staff Author, Parents, 13 Apr. 2024
Lana Dunn, Spektrum’s chief operating officer, peeked in as the court docket loaded.
—Casey Parks, Washington Post, 7 Apr. 2024
In the weeks leading up to the reopening, customers were passing Olivia’s pink and yellow window art and curiously peeking in.
—Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2024
Sudden bursts of cheering rang out from the growing sea of viewers donning eclipse glasses and tilting cameras upward at the ready, as the partial eclipse peeked through dark clouds in fleeting intervals.
—Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2024
Portions of states that border the Gulf of Mexico – especially coastal areas from Texas to Mississippi
Broken, low to mid-level clouds
A broken sky has thin strips of clear blue peeking through abundant clouds.
—Mary Gilbert, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024
Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024
The series of buildings provide a peek into what life looked like in the 1920s, when the Holzwarth family homesteaded on 160 acres high in the mountains.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 8 Apr. 2024
Shop Around Browse locally made goods and artwork at Lexie and Lee, find a souvenir at Mosaic Collective, and stop by Meanwhile Back on the Farm to choose your new go-to bag—and sneak a peek at how it’s made.
—Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 2 Apr. 2024
Take a peek at the very best photos from the iHeartRadio awards, below.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 2 Apr. 2024
Meanwhile, here’s a peek at the list. 10 castles for fairytale dreams
1.
—Jackie Burrell, The Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2024
Then take a peek at your shower curtain and swap out your old one for this striped style that’s only $13.
—Carly Totten, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Mar. 2024
To be sure, the report is a peek into the decisions of a few companies, not a broader population survey.
—Paige McGlauflin, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2024
On Sunday, both Kim Kardashian and older sister Kourtney Kardashian gave their followers a peek at their family holiday celebration on their respective Instagram Stories.
—Esme Mazzeo, Peoplemag, 1 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'peek.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near peek
Cite this Entry
“Peek.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peek. Accessed 28 Apr. 2024.
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