Difference Between Peak & Peek

Peak vs Peek

Peak and peek are homonyms in the English language, which means that they have the same pronunciation but completely different meanings. This can create confusion for English language learners who might struggle to use the correct word in a specific context. There is also a third word, pique, which further complicates the matter. This article will clarify the differences between peek and peak to help readers understand their proper usage.

Key Takeaways

• Peek means to take a secret glance or look at something briefly.
• Peak can refer to the top of a mountain, reaching a high point in a performance, or describe the busiest time for a business.
• Peek and peak are homonyms, meaning they have the same pronunciation but different meanings.

What does Peek mean?

Peek is a word that means taking a secret glance at something or looking at someone for a short while. For example, if you are playing cards and manage to catch a glimpse of your opponent’s cards in a game of poker, you are said to have had a peek at their cards. Another example would be children jumping as high as they can to catch a glimpse of their favorite player during a baseball game.

What does Peak mean?

Peak is a word that refers to the top of a mountain. Mountains have high points and low points, with peaks representing the high points and troughs representing the low points. When used in this sense, peak is a noun. However, it can also be used as a verb when referring to the act of reaching a high point or crescendo, such as in a performance, a game, or a movie. Additionally, there are peak business hours, in which the word is used as an adjective to describe the busiest hours of operation.

What is the difference between Peek and Peak?

• Peek is to take a furtive or short look at something, while peak has several meanings.
• Peak can be a noun, as in the highest point of a mountain.
• Peak can be a verb, as in peaking at the right time during a game or performance.
• Peak can also be an adjective, as in peak business hours.