Finesentence

Peek Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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peek

peek

🇺🇸 /ˈpik/ · 🇬🇧 /pˈiːk/

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

to take a quick look

To peek means to take a quick look or glance, usually in a secretive or sly manner. It is often done to see something without being noticed or to satisfy curiosity.

Synonyms

glance, peekaboo, sneak a look, spy.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
peek

Used when you look quickly or secretly at something you are not supposed to see. Often implies curiosity or eagerness.

  • She took a peek at her birthday present before it was wrapped
  • He couldn't resist taking a quick peek at the surprise
glance

Used when looking quickly or briefly at something. It often implies a casual or non-intrusive look.

  • She glanced at her watch to check the time
  • He cast a quick glance at the menu before ordering
spy

Used when observing someone or something secretly, often for gathering information. It can also imply deceit or suspicion. Has a negative connotation.

  • He spied on his neighbors through the window
  • They accused him of trying to spy on their private conversations
sneak a look

Used when you carefully and secretly look at something, typically because you are not supposed to. It suggests a deliberate and cautious action.

  • He tried to sneak a look at her diary while she was out of the room
  • She sneaked a look at her phone during the meeting
peekaboo

A playful game often played with children, where one person hides their face and then suddenly reveals it, saying 'peekaboo'.

  • We played peekaboo with the baby to make her laugh
  • The toddler giggled every time we played peekaboo

Examples of usage

  • He peeked around the corner to see if anyone was coming.
  • She peeked through the keyhole to see what was happening inside.
  • Don't peek at your presents before Christmas!
  • I caught him peeking at my phone when I left the room.
  • The child peeked out from behind the tree to see if the coast was clear.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Quick facts about “peek”

Peek is a 1-syllable verb. It is pronounced /ˈpik/ in American English and /pˈiːk/ in British English. On finesentence.com it has 1 meaning, 4 synonyms, and translations into 21 languages. It ranks #19,917 among the most common English words.

Origin of 'peek'

The word 'peek' originated from Middle English 'piken', which means 'to look quickly'. Over time, the word evolved to 'peek' with a similar meaning of taking a quick look. The usage of 'peek' in English language dates back to the 14th century. It has maintained its definition of a quick, usually furtive, glance over the centuries.


See also: peekaboo, peeked, peeking.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #19,917, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.