peek
B1Informal, neutral. Common in spoken and informal written English.
Definition
Meaning
To look quickly or furtively, especially through a small opening or from a place of concealment.
To become briefly visible; a small, quick view of something, often incomplete or partial.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The key semantic features are the short duration of the look and its often surreptitious or partial nature. It suggests a lack of a full, open view.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Both varieties use the word identically in meaning and form. Spelling is the same.
Connotations
No significant difference in connotations.
Frequency
Equally common and natural in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[S] peek at N[S] peek through N[S] peek over N[S] peek into NVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “sneak peek (a preview)”
- “peek-a-boo (a child's game)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used informally, e.g., 'Let's have a quick peek at the quarterly figures before the meeting.'
Academic
Rare, but possible in informal discussion, e.g., 'The data offers a peek into the underlying mechanism.'
Everyday
Most common, e.g., 'Can I peek at your birthday present?' or 'The sun peeked through the clouds.'
Technical
Generally not used in formal technical writing.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Don't peek at your Christmas presents!
- He peeked over the garden fence to see what the neighbours were doing.
- A few daffodils are already peeking through the soil.
American English
- No peeking at the test answers!
- She peeked through the curtains to see who was outside.
- The moon peeked out from behind the clouds.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverbial form. 'Peekingly' is non-standard and extremely rare.
American English
- No standard adverbial form.
adjective
British English
- 'Peek-a-boo' is a popular game with babies.
American English
- She wore a dress with a peek-a-boo lace back.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The child peeked from behind his mother.
- Have a peek at this photo!
- I couldn't resist taking a peek at the final score.
- He peeked inside the box before wrapping it.
- The documentary offers a fascinating peek into the lives of the ultra-wealthy.
- Sunlight just peeked over the horizon at dawn.
- The leaked document provided an unauthorised peek at the company's five-year expansion plan.
- Through the dense foliage, we could peek the ruins of the ancient temple.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a PEEK as a PEAK of a mountain you can only see for a second. Both sound the same.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWING IS SEEING (to gain a brief, partial understanding), e.g., 'The report gives us a peek into their strategy.'
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not 'look carefully' or 'stare' (смотреть пристально). The look is quick.
- Different from 'look' (смотреть) as it implies secrecy or a limited view.
- Don't confuse with 'peak' (пик) in writing.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing spelling with 'peak' (the top) or 'pique' (to stimulate interest).
- Using it for a long, deliberate look.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'peek' INCORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Peek' is a quick, often sly look. 'Peep' is similar but can imply a high-pitched sound or a furtive look, and is often used in UK English. 'Peer' suggests looking closely or with difficulty, as if straining to see.
Primarily, yes. Its main use is as a verb. It can be a noun (e.g., 'have a peek'). The adjective form is only found in the fixed phrase 'peek-a-boo'.
Remember: 'Peek' involves looking (think of two 'e's as eyes). 'Peak' is the top of a mountain or a high point. 'Pique' means to arouse interest or, rarely, resentment.
Yes, it's a very common and correct idiom meaning an early or secret preview of something, like a film or a product before its official release.