Usually, our Word Choice posts focus on two similar sounding words. Today, we decided to make things even more confusing by looking at three words instead: ‘peak’, ‘peek’ and ‘pique’.
Although pronounced identically, each word is spelled differently and has a distinct meaning. As such, mixing them up can impact the clarity of your writing.
But what do ‘peak’, ‘peek’ and ‘pique’ mean? And how should they be used?
Peak (The Highest Point)
The ‘peak’ of something is its highest point. This can either be literal, referring to the highest point on something physical, like a hat or a mountain:
After reaching the peak of Mount Bogong, we sat down to enjoy the view.
Or it can be more figurative, referring to the ‘high point’ or highest value of something:
David Hasselhoff’s career hit its peak in the early 1990s.
Prices will rise, peak and fall during a typical cycle.
Peek (To Look)
To ‘peek’ at something is to glance or look at it quickly, possibly from a concealed place. We might therefore say:
From behind the tree, Harriet peeked out to see what the Hoff was doing.
It’s worth noting that ‘peek’ doesn’t always imply secrecy and can simply signify taking a brief look at something:
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Before breakfast, I like to take a peek at the morning papers.
Pique (Vexation or Arousing Interesting)
‘Pique’ is quite an unusual word, so is often misused. As a noun, it means ‘a state of vexation’, typically an overreaction to a minor annoyance. You’re perhaps most likely to see this word in the phrase ‘a fit of pique’:
We teased David about his bandana. He stormed of in a fit of pique.
As a verb, ‘pique’ can mean ‘to cause mild irritation’, but more commonly means simply ‘to arouse or excite a feeling’. It’s fairly common, for instance, to say that something ‘piqued’ our curiosity:
It was only one chapter, but I hoped it would pique the curiosity of publishers.
People sometimes mistake ‘pique’ for ‘peak’ in this phrase, since it seems like it could mean ‘to raise curiosity to its peak’. But this is incorrect, so try not to make the same mistake.
Peak, Peek or Pique?
These words are easily confused, especially if you’ve not seen ‘pique’ written down before. But since they have very different meanings, it should be easy to remember how they’re usually used:
Peak = The highest point of something
Peek = To look quickly or furtively
Pique = A state of anger or vexation/To arouse or provoke
It’s also worth remembering that the phrase is ‘piqued my interest’, not ‘peaked my interest’ as is sometimes assumed.