Peep vs. Peek: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on October 5, 2023
Peep refers to a quick or furtive look or glance, while peek denotes a brief look, typically in a secretive or cautious manner.
Key Differences
Peep implies a swift or secretive glance, often with the connotation of looking through a narrow opening or from a hidden position. Peek, on the other hand, refers to a quick or brief look, usually characterized by curiosity or the desire to gain information secretly or inconspicuously.
While both peep and peek refer to looking at something quickly and often secretly, peep can also mean the short, sharp, high-pitched sound made by a young bird, distinguishing it from peek, which solely relates to the act of looking.
Peep often conveys a sense of sneaking a look, implying a degree of caution or hesitancy, typically out of fear of getting caught. Peek is synonymous with taking a swift or covert look, often driven by a sense of curiosity or a desire to know something without being observed.
Contextually, the term peep may be used to describe instances of catching a glimpse of something in passing or through a small opening. Peek is more straightforward in its application, depicting a scenario where one quickly looks at something, usually with a degree of secrecy or caution.
In essence, while both peep and peek represent the act of seeing quickly and typically secretly, peep carries additional meanings, including portraying the sound made by young birds, and may imply looking through a restricted opening or in a covert manner.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Meaning
A quick or secretive glance.
A brief, quick look.
Connotation
Can imply looking through a narrow opening or hidden position.
Usually implies curiosity or cautiousness.
Additional Meaning
Can also refer to the sound made by a young bird.
Solely related to the act of looking.
Application
Used to describe glimpses in passing or through small openings.
Straightforward, depicting a quick look.
Motivation
Often driven by caution or hesitancy.
Driven by curiosity or the desire to know.
ADVERTISEMENT
Peep and Peek Definitions
Peep
A short, high-pitched sound made by a young bird.
The chick made a soft peep from its nest.
Peek
A momentary glance.
He gave a peek at his notes before the presentation.
Peep
To begin to appear or come forth.
The first flowers of spring began to peep through the snow.
Peek
A sudden appearance.
A peek of the moon was visible between the clouds.
Peep
To utter short, soft, high-pitched sounds, like those of a baby bird; cheep.
Peek
To glance or look quickly and furtively.
Curiosity made him peek behind the curtain.
Peep
To speak in a hesitant, thin, high-pitched voice.
Peek
A brief or quick look.
She took a quick peek at the answers.
Peep
To peek furtively; steal a quick glance.
Peek
To look quickly and typically secretly.
I could not resist peeking into the mysterious room.
Peep
To peer through a small aperture or from behind something.
Peek
To glance quickly.
Peep
To appear as though emerging from a hiding place
The moon peeping through the clouds.
Peek
To look or peer furtively, as from a place of concealment.
Peep
To cause to emerge or become partly visible
He peeped his head through the door.
Peek
To be only partially visible, as if peering or emerging from hiding
Tiny crocuses peeked through the snow.
Peep
A short, soft, high-pitched sound or utterance, like that of a baby bird.
Peek
A brief or furtive look.
Peep
A slight sound or utterance
I don't want to hear a peep out of you.
Peek
(informal) To look slyly, or with the eyes half closed, or through a crevice; to peep.
Peep
Any of various small North American sandpipers.
Peek
(informal) To be only slightly, partially visible, as if peering out from a hiding place.
Peep
A quick or furtive look or glance.
Peek
To retrieve (a value) from a memory address.
Peep
A first glimpse or appearance
The peep of dawn.
Peek
A quick glance or look.
Peep
A short, soft, high-pitched sound, as made by a baby bird.
Peek
To look surreptitiously, or with the eyes half closed, or through a crevice; to peep.
Peep
A feeble utterance or complaint.
I don't want to hear a peep out of you!
Peek
A secret look
Peep
The sound of a steam engine's whistle; typically shrill.
Peek
Throw a glance at; take a brief look at;
She only glanced at the paper
I only peeked--I didn't see anything interesting
Peep
A sandpiper or other small wader.
Peep
A quick look or glimpse, especially a furtive one.
Peep
The first partial appearance of something; a beginning to appear.
The peep of day
Peep
(obsolete) A spot on a die or domino.
Peep
Person.
Peep
To make a soft, shrill noise like a baby bird.
Peep
To speak briefly with a quiet voice.
Peep
(intransitive) To look, especially through a narrow opening, or while trying not to be seen or noticed.
The man peeped through the small hole.
Peep
(intransitive) To begin to appear; to look forth from concealment; to make the first appearance.
Peep
To take a look at; check out.
Did you peep that video I sent you?
Peep
To cry, as a chicken hatching or newly hatched; to chirp; to cheep.
There was none that moved the wing, or opened the mouth, or peeped.
Peep
To begin to appear; to look forth from concealment; to make the first appearance; as, the sun peeped over the eastern hills.
When flowers first peeped, and trees did blossoms bear.
Peep
To look cautiously or slyly; to peer, as through a crevice; to pry.
Peep through the blanket of the dark.
From her cabined loophole peep.
Peep
The cry of a young chicken; a chirp.
Peep
First outlook or appearance.
Oft have we seen him at the peep of dawn.
Peep
A sly look; a look as through a crevice, or from a place of concealment.
To take t' other peep at the stars.
Peep
Any small sandpiper, as the least sandpiper (Trigna minutilla).
Peep
The short weak cry of a young bird
Peep
A secret look
Peep
Look furtively;
He peeped at the woman through the window
Peep
Cause to appear;
He peeped his head through the window
Peep
Make high-pitched sounds; of birds
Peep
Speak in a hesitant and high-pitched tone of voice
Peep
Appear as though from hiding;
The new moon peeped through the tree tops
Peep
A slight appearance or manifestation.
A peep of sunlight came through the clouds.
Peep
To look through a narrow opening or from a concealed location.
He tried to peep through the keyhole.
FAQs
Is peek driven by curiosity?
Often, peek is driven by curiosity or the desire to gain information.
Does peep always imply looking through a restricted opening?
Not always, but peep often conveys a sense of looking through a narrow opening or from a concealed location.
Can peep mean a slight appearance of something?
Yes, peep can refer to a slight appearance or manifestation of something.
Does peek represent only the act of looking?
Yes, peek solely relates to the act of briefly looking or glancing.
Can peep refer to the sound made by birds?
Yes, peep can also refer to the short, sharp sound made by a young bird.
Can peep imply a degree of caution?
Yes, peep often implies a degree of caution or hesitancy.
Can you peek at something openly?
Typically, peeking involves looking secretly, but it can be used more loosely to mean any brief look.
Does peep have more diverse meanings than peek?
Yes, peep has more diverse meanings, including a sound made by birds, compared to peek.
Can peek be synonymous with glance?
Yes, peek can be synonymous with a brief or quick glance.
Is peeking considered impolite?
Depending on the context, peeking can be considered impolite as it often involves looking secretly.
Is a peek a momentary glance?
Yes, a peek is typically a quick, momentary glance.
Can peek imply looking secretly?
Yes, peek often implies looking quickly and secretly.
Is peep used to describe something beginning to appear?
Yes, peep can describe something that is beginning to appear or come forth.
Can both peep and peek imply a quick look?
Yes, both peep and peek imply taking a quick or brief look, often secretly.
Is peeping considered sneaky?
Peeping can be considered sneaky as it implies looking from a hidden position or through a restricted opening.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
