Peep
/piːp/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo look quickly or secretly, often through a small opening or from a concealed position.
/piːp/
To look or glance quickly or furtively.
The child peeped out from behind the curtain.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're hiding behind a tree and quickly glance to see what's happening. That's peeping! Like when you peek around a corner to see if the coast is clear before you grab a cookie.
👶 For kids: To look at something quickly and secretly.
More Examples
I peeped at the exam paper of my classmate.
He peeped at the gift under the Christmas tree.
How It's Used
"She peeped through the keyhole to see who was at the door."
"He was peeping at the answers during the exam."
To make a short, high-pitched sound, typically by a small bird or animal.
/piːp/
To utter a weak, shrill sound, like a young bird.
The baby chick peeped in its nest.
💡 Simply: Like a little bird making a 'peep' sound when it's hungry or scared. When a baby bird wants food, it will peep.
👶 For kids: To make a tiny, high sound like a little bird.
More Examples
We could hear the birds peeping in the morning.
How It's Used
"The chicks peeped in their nest, hungry for food."
A quick, furtive look.
/piːp/
A quick or furtive look.
She took a peep at the present under the wrapping paper.
💡 Simply: It's like taking a quick look, just for a moment. A quick peep at the movie screen.
👶 For kids: A quick look.
More Examples
The spy got a peep at the secret documents.
I caught a peep of the actor before the show.
How It's Used
"I caught a peep of the secret meeting."
Idioms & expressions
peep of day
The very first light of dawn; daybreak.
"We started our journey at the peep of day."
From Middle English pipen, from Old English *pīpan (to peep, chirp), related to Middle Dutch pipen (to pipe, peep).
Used in literature and everyday speech since the Middle Ages, originally referring to chirping sounds and later extended to include furtive glances.
Memory tip
Think of a small child, peeking to see a surprise.