What Does Peek Mean?
Peek is a verb meaning to look quickly, briefly, or secretly. As a noun, a peek is a quick glance.
Peek functions as a verb / noun.
What Does Pique Mean?
Pique is a verb meaning to stimulate or arouse interest or curiosity, or to feel irritated or resentful. As a noun, it means a feeling of annoyance.
Pique functions as a verb / noun.
Peek vs Pique: Key Differences
| Peek | Pique |
|---|---|
| To look quickly or secretly | To stimulate interest or to irritate |
| Physical action (looking) | Emotional or intellectual response |
| "Peek behind the curtain" | "Pique someone's curiosity" |
Examples of Peek in a Sentence
- She peeked at the answer sheet during the test.
- Take a peek inside the gift bag.
- The child peeked through the fence at the neighbor's dog.
- A quick peek at the scoreboard showed they were winning.
Examples of Pique in a Sentence
- The documentary piqued her interest in marine biology.
- She was piqued by his rude dismissal.
- The mystery novel piqued my curiosity from the first page.
- He left in a fit of pique after losing the argument.
How to Remember the Difference
You peek with your eeyes (two e's = two eyes looking). Pique has a "que" ending like "unique," and unique things pique your interest.
Common Mistakes
| Incorrect | Correct | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The headline peeked my interest. | The headline piqued my interest. | Stimulating interest requires 'pique.' |
| She piqued around the corner. | She peeked around the corner. | Looking secretly uses 'peek.' |
| He left in a peek of anger. | He left in a fit of pique. | Annoyance or resentment is 'pique.' |
If you are unsure which word fits, try Rephrasely's free grammar checker to catch errors instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What about 'peak'?
'Peak' means the highest point or summit. All three (peek, pique, peak) sound the same but have different meanings and spellings.
Is 'sneak peek' or 'sneak pique' correct?
'Sneak peek' is correct. It means an early or secret preview, combining 'sneak' (secret) with 'peek' (a look).
Can 'pique' be positive?
Yes. While 'pique' can mean irritation, it more commonly appears in positive contexts: 'pique curiosity,' 'pique interest,' 'pique imagination.'