peek

UK: /ˈpiːk/ US: /pik/ ,(pēk)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

peek /pik/   v. [no object]

1. to glance quickly or secretly;
   peep:
   Can't we peek at the presents?

n. [countable]

2. a quick or secret look or glance;
   peep:
   a quick peek at the document on her desk.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

peek  (pēk), v.i. 

1. to look or glance quickly or furtively, esp. through a small opening or from a concealed location;
   peep;
   peer.

n. 

2. a quick or furtive look or glance;
   peep.

• 1325–75; Middle English piken (verb, verbal); perh. dissimilated variant of kiken to keek

Synonyms

• 1. See peep ¹.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

peek / piːk/ verb

1. (intransitive) to glance quickly or furtively; peep

noun

1. a quick or furtive glance

Etymology: 14th Century pike, related to Middle Dutch kiken to peek