peek

Everyday

1. To peek means to look at something quickly or secretly, often when you should not. tree →
2. A peek is a quick, short look. tree →
3. To peek out means to just show a little, like the sun peeking out from behind clouds. tree →

In the lessons

In games like hide-and-seek, the counter must not peek. In stories, a character who peeks at presents or answers shows curiosity or cheating. In tests, peeking at someone else's answers is cheating. Phrases: «take a peek», «no peeking», «peek inside», «sneak peek» (a first look at something new), «peek-a-boo» (a game with babies).

Examples

• Close your eyes and no peeking! tree →
• I took a peek at my birthday presents. tree →
• The sun peeked out from behind the clouds. tree →
• Don't peek at the answers at the back of the book. tree →
• The baby laughed when we played peek-a-boo. tree →
• The kitten peeked out from under the sofa. tree →
• We got a sneak peek of the new playground. tree →
• She peeked through the keyhole. tree →

Note

Homophones (same sound): «peak» (the top of a mountain, or a cap's front) and «pique» (a feeling of annoyance; «pique your interest»). A common mistake is «sneak peak»; the right spelling is «sneak peek». «Peep» is similar.