Peek: meaning, definitions and examples

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peek

 

[ piหk ]

Verb
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.

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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

Translations of the word "peek" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น espiar

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคเคพเคเค•เคจเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช spรคhen

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ mengintip

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะทะฐะทะธั€ะฝัƒั‚ะธ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ zerkaฤ‡

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ่ฆ—ใ (nozoku)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท jeter un coup d'ล“il

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ echar un vistazo

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท gรถz atmak

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์—ฟ๋ณด๋‹ค (yeotboda)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ูŠู„ู‚ูŠ ู†ุธุฑุฉ ุฎุงุทูุฉ (yalqi nazratan khatifatan)

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ nakouknout

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ nakuknรบลฅ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅท็œ‹ (tลu kร n)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ pokukati

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ kรญkja

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ัั‹า“ะฐะปะฐัƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒฉแƒแƒญแƒ•แƒ แƒ”แƒขแƒ (chachvreta)

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ gรถz gษ™zdirmษ™k

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ echar un vistazo

Etymology

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.