Definition of 'peek'
Word forms: 3rd person singular present
tense peeks
, present participle peeking
, past tense, past participle peeked
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word Frequency
peek in American English
verb intransitive
1.
to glance or look quickly and furtively, esp. through an opening or from behind something
noun
2.
such a glance
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Word origin
ME piken < ?
Word Frequency
peek in American English
(pik)
intransitive verb
noun
2.
a quick or furtive look or glance; peep
Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019
by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Word origin
[1325–75; ME piken (v.); perh. dissimilated var. of kiken to keek]Examples of 'peek' in a sentence
peek
These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content.Read more…
Trends of
peek
View usage for:
In other languages
peek
British English: peek
VERB /piːk/
If you peek at something or someone, you have a quick look at them, often secretly.
On two occasions she had peeked at him through a crack in the wall.
- American English: peek /ˈpik/
- Brazilian Portuguese: bisbilhotar
- Chinese: 瞥一眼常指偷偷地
- European Spanish: mirar a hurtadillas
- French: jeter un coup d'œil
- German: schauen auf
- Italian: dare una sbirciata
- Japanese: ちらっとのぞく
- Korean: 엿보다
- European Portuguese: bisbilhotar
- Latin American Spanish: espiar
- Thai: แอบมอง, มองตามช่อง
Browse alphabetically
peek
Related terms of
peek
Source
Definition of peek from the Collins English Dictionary
Quick word challenge
Quiz Review
Question: 1
-
Score: 0 / 5
councillor or counsellor?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
counsellor
councillor
They sought the help of a marriage .
sun or son?
Which version is correct?
aid or aide?
Which version is correct?
bough or bow?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
bow
bough
I gave a theatrical and waved.
stile or style?
Which version is correct?
Your score:
Word of the day
blue-water
designed to operate on and range over the open sea; oceangoing
Latest Word Submissions
The One With All The Friends Vocabulary
Nearly 30 years after the final episode aired, fans around the world rejoiced as Friends: The Reunion finally graced our screens. As the cast toured the iconic sets and reflected on fond memories, we started reminiscing about the show’s classic words and phrases.
Read more
7 mouth-watering foodie words with roots in other languages
How many foodie words have made their way into English vocabulary that came from international cuisine? Whether you’re devoted to doppio or mad about mango, we’ve explored foodie words in the Collins Dictionary with origins in other languages to tease your tastebuds.
Read more
Say Something Nice Day!
Nada cuesta añadir una sonrisa, ‘It costs nothing to add a smile’, is a Spanish phrase imprinted on my memory from when, years ago, I taught myself to touch-type in Spanish and it was one of the practice phrases.
Read more
Collins English Dictionary Apps
Download our English Dictionary apps - available for both iOS and Android.
Read more
Collins Dictionaries for Schools
Our new online dictionaries for schools provide a safe and appropriate environment for children. And best of all it's ad free, so sign up now and start using at home or in the classroom.
Read more
Word lists
We have almost 200 lists of words from topics as varied as types of butterflies, jackets, currencies, vegetables and knots!
Amaze your friends with your new-found knowledge!
Read more
Join the Collins community
All the latest wordy news, linguistic insights, offers and competitions every month.
Read more
Quick word challenge
Quiz Review
Question: 1
-
Score: 0 / 5
lead or led?
Which version is correct?
coffee or tea?
Which version is correct?
did or done?
Which version is correct?
farther or father?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
farther
father
My sisters moved even away from home.
to or too or two?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
two
to
too
He is now married with children.
Your score: