Peek Meaning
/piːk/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo look slyly, or with the eyes half closed, or through a crevice; to peep.
verbTo be only slightly, partially visible, as if peering out from a hiding place.
Sentence Examples
Can you give us a sneak peek?
Let's take a sneak peek.
I sneaked a peek in the showers after the game.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The curious child tried to ____ under the curtain to see the gift.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She couldn't resist taking a quick ____ at the wrapped presents under the Christmas tree.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English *peken, piken, pyken (“to peep”), probably a fusion of Middle English pepen (“to peep”) and keken, kiken (“to keek, look, spy”), equivalent to a blend of peep + keek. Perhaps also possibly a metathetic alteration of Middle English kepen, kipen, kypen (“to keep, look, observe, watch”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"A pale strip of white skin peeked out from under his waistband."
— 2012, Rachel Kramer Bussel, Going Down: Oral Sex Stories, →ISBN:
"Her brown skin peeked through the empty gap in her clothing."
— 2012, Michelle Monkou, If I Had You, →ISBN:
"We are peeking the value from the first index's memory location."
— 2006, Gary Willoughby, PureBasic: A Beginner's Guide to Computer Programming, page 279:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The curious child tried to ____ under the curtain to see the gift.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She couldn't resist taking a quick ____ at the wrapped presents under the Christmas tree.