peep

1 of 4

verb (1)

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

Examples of peep in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Facing death and without another option, Mat blows the horn, this one-shot weapon that, again, has been touted as a nuclear bomb level weapon, and… A dozen peeps with swords show up at his side. Alex Raiman, EW.com, 6 Oct. 2023 Overhead, white fairy terns hover and peep among coconut trees. Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Dec. 2023 Save on the best preppy gifts with these Anthropologie promo codes. 24/30 Free People Petite Bow Bows are currently everywhere—just peep these fall fashion trends—so there’s more reason than ever to lean into Blair Waldorf styling with this satin barette that’s perfect for holiday parties. Jake Smith, Glamour, 8 Nov. 2023 Other winners include a giant Dutch clog in the Netherlands, a giant avocado in Mexico, and a stargazing stone igloo in South Africa — peep the full list of winners here. Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 10 Oct. 2023 While there are plenty of cheap colognes that smell great—just peep these Amazon perfumes—many bottles will set you back $100 or more. Jake Smith, Glamour, 9 Jan. 2024 Want to peep the sea turtles without the scientific trappings? Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2023 Take advantage of the Abercrombie & Fitch sales—and peep our favorite 40% off steals below (including tons of items that Glamour editors wear on repeat). Malia Griggs, Glamour, 27 Nov. 2023 In addition to peeping Coldwater Gardens’ restorative work — from the apiary to the aquaponic greenhouse — guests can cruise the property’s seven miles of hiking and biking trails or visit one of the four sandbar beaches that run along the creek, which is ripe for swimming, tubing, and kayaking. Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 3 Nov. 2023
Noun
No drama for board election, positive quarterly reports After two years of battling with activist investors who wanted to take over Kohl’s board, in May the board, including Kingsbury, was re-elected without a peep from investors. Ricardo Torres, Journal Sentinel, 4 Jan. 2024 Alexa is present, too, so users can control nearly everything with voice activation and even get weather updates or peep at their to-do lists while simultaneously munching on popcorn and binging a new series. Melissa Epifano, EW.com, 12 Jan. 2024 Secure privacy with the window privacy film, an alternative to expensive gates, blocking peeps and harmful UV rays while adding character to your windows. Samantha Booth, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2023 Along the way, peep streets lined with white clapboard cottages with shutters in tell-tale shades of pastel. Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 27 Nov. 2023 These creatures hunt by sound, and similarly to A Quiet Place, the family's ability to communicate and travel without making a peep will be essential to their survival. Olivia Evans, Women's Health, 21 Aug. 2023 But two years ago the deficit was nearly $3 trillion, or almost 12 percent of GDP, and the bond market didn’t raise a peep. Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 5 Oct. 2023 Tupac may not have known, but Suge and his peeps definitely knew. Vulture, 3 Oct. 2023 Since then, barely a peep from the G.O.P. corruption fighters. John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'peep.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of peep was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near peep

Cite this Entry

“Peep.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peep. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

peep

1 of 4 verb
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
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

More from Merriam-Webster on peep

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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