An Encylopedia Britannica Company

November 29, 2018 Word of the Day

peek /ˈpiːk/ verb
peek
/ˈpiːk/
verb

peeks; peeked; peeking

Two children peeking through a fence
Two children peeking through a fence
Definition of PEEK

[no object]

1 a : to look at someone or something secretly especially from a hidden place

  • A little girl peeked around the corner of the chair at him.

  • She peeked [=peered] through a hole in the fence.

  • Close your eyes, and no peeking!

b : to look at something briefly

  • She peeked ahead to the next chapter to see what happened next.

  • He allowed some of his friends to peek at his next painting.

2 : to show slightly : to be slightly visible — usually + out

  • Her slip peeked out from beneath her skirt. [=a small part of her slip could be seen beneath her skirt]

More Words of the Day