peep

UK: piːp | US: piːp

Definition

  1. n. a quick, high-pitched sound, especially one made by a small bird or baby

  2. vi. to make a short, soft, high-pitched sound

  3. vi. to look quickly or furtively

  4. n. a brief or secret look

Structure

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Etymology

"Peep" is an onomatopoeic word, imitating the short, high-pitched sounds made by small birds or other faint noises. Its use to mean "a quick look" (first recorded in the 15th century) likely derives from the idea of a small, furtive glance, akin to the briefness of a bird's chirp. The dual meanings (sound and sight) reflect its expressive, imitative origin.

Examples

  1. The baby let out a quiet peep as she woke up.

  2. Birds peeped softly in the early morning.

  3. He took a quick peep through the window to check the weather.

  4. Don’t peep at your neighbor’s test paper during the exam.

  5. We heard a faint peep coming from the nest in the tree.