Peek

/piːk/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A quick or secret look.

He took a peek at the surprise gift hidden behind the couch.

A brief glimpse or glance.

She caught a peek of the actor as he left the restaurant.

verb

To look quickly or secretly at something.

She peeked through the curtains to see if it was still raining.

To appear or come into view slightly.

The sun peeked through the clouds after the storm.

Middle English 'peken', of uncertain origin, possibly related to peekaboo or to the Old English 'picca'.

peek-a-boo

A game played with babies where one hides their face and then reveals it suddenly.

snoop

To investigate or pry into others' affairs.

glance

To take a brief or hurried look.

To sneak a look at someone's text or screen.

I caught him peeking at my phone while I was away.

To take a quick look at something, often without permission.

She peeked at her friend's diary when she thought no one was watching.