No. They sound the same (homophones) but have different meanings.
Key takeaways:
Peek means to take a quick glance or look (e.g., "Take a peek at this article.").
Peak refers to the highest point or summit, often literally or figuratively (e.g., "The mountain peak was breathtaking.").
Pique means to stimulate interest or provoke curiosity or resentment (e.g., "The mystery novel piqued my curiosity.").
Part of the series Grammar Debugged—English for Devs
These
The word peek is used to describe a brief or secretive look at something.
She peeked through the curtains to see who was outside.
Take a peek at the new design before we finalize it.
Peak refers to the topmost point of something, like a mountain, career, or achievement.
We finally reached the mountain’s peak after hours of hiking.
His career peaked when he won the championship.
Pique has two main meanings: to arouse interest or to irritate someone.
The unusual headline piqued my curiosity. (stimulating interest)
He was piqued by her dismissive attitude. (feeling irritated)
Choose the correct word (peak or pique or peek) for each sentence:
He was ________ when he found out he wasn’t invited to the event.
The stock market is at its ________ right now
I couldn’t help but _________ inside the box to see the gift.
Her performance has _________, and she might not improve further.
Here are some frequent errors and how to avoid them:
Incorrect: “Take a peak at this article.”
Correct: “Take a peek at this article.”
Incorrect: “The hikers reached the peek of the mountain.”
Correct: “The hikers reached the peak of the mountain.”
Incorrect: “The mystery novel peaked my curiosity.”
Correct: “The mystery novel piqued my curiosity.”
Word | Role | Function | Examples |
Peek | To glance or look quickly | Verb | "She peeked through the keyhole." |
Peak | The highest point of something | Noun/Verb/Adjective | "They climbed to the peak of the mountain." |
Pique | To stimulate interest or provoke irritation | Verb | "The trailer piqued my curiosity about the movie." |
In conclusion, while peek, peak, and pique may sound alike, they each have distinct meanings and uses. Peek refers to a quick or secretive look, peak denotes the highest point of something, and pique means to stimulate or provoke interest. Understanding the correct context for each word ensures clear and precise communication.
Match the examples that demonstrate the difference between peek vs. peak vs. pique:
Can I take a quick _______ at your notes?
peek
The breathtaking view from the mountain’s _______ made the hike worthwhile.
peak
Her comments ________ his curiosity about the project.
piqued
The roller coaster reaches its ________ at the top of the loop.
Just one more ________ at the surprise, please!
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To enhance technical writing and minimize common grammar mistakes, continue exploring these topics:
Commonly confused words (homophones & similar-sounding words): These words sound alike but have different meanings and spellings.
Prepositions & usage differences: These words and phrases are often confused due to subtle contextual differences.
Punctuation & formatting: These involve rules for using dashes, abbreviations, and sentence structure.
Grammar & sentence structure: These deal with pronoun choices, verb usage, and comparison.
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