peek

USAGE SUMMARY

'peek' is a perfectly acceptable word in written English.
It is an intransitive verb that means to take a quick, casual look at something. For example, "I took a peek at the report to get an idea of what it was about."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Iowans relish their status as the first-in-the-nation caucus, and are proud of what they see as their unique peek behind the facade of presidential campaigns to decipher the real candidate.

The Guardian

The exclusion of this story from the public record has been a matter of some frustration for Beckett fans (although academics who asked nicely have been able to have a peek).

The Guardian - Books

As you doubtless know, this was once a one-party state, an autocracy ruled by Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop, less a website than a peek into a bizarro alternate universe, where the "inner aspect" is "nourished", children willingly eat flax oil for breakfast, and "bath salts for inner peace" can be had for a mere $78 £488) a packet.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Like a coming-soon trailer, this budget presented a sneak peek of better days to come, of the "view from the summit" of which David Cameron spoke at the Tory conference in 2009.

The Guardian - Opinion

The same applies for web sites such as radaris, peek you, 123 people...indexing online copies of the electoral roll, facebook accounts etc.

The Guardian - Tech

In return, the two-way periscope effect would allow the watching public to peek inside the political process and spot if someone were to nod off for a nap during the council debate.

The Guardian

If, for example, you have a letter in front of you, just peel back the corner of the envelope and peek at it.

The Guardian - Books

If bond markets become concerned that governments could default or inflate away their debts, interest rates would jump, choking off recovery.In this section Bind games Peek.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Oh, and it's pronounced like this: Tome-AH PEEK-a-tee.

The Guardian - Money

This week Scott Morrison played a game of pre-budget peek-a-boo on plans for the aged pension, before revealing that the government will ditch its failed attempt to change indexation rates and instead tighten the assets test.

The Guardian - Opinion

It also boosted the government's powers of surveillance sufficiently to provoke protests from civil-liberties groups about "sneak-and-peek searches" (though America is still less intrusive than many governments in Europe).In this section Just a few bad apples?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "peek" when you want to emphasize a quick or surreptitious look, especially when something is partially hidden or revealed.

Common error

Avoid misspelling "peek" as "pique". "Peek" refers to looking, while "pique" means to arouse interest or resentment.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "peek" is as an intransitive verb, denoting the action of looking quickly or furtively. Ludwig AI identifies it as following standard grammatical rules and provides numerous examples of its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "peek" is a versatile and frequently used verb that signifies a quick or furtive look. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in formality, it's essential to differentiate it from "pique" to avoid misspellings. When a more formal tone is required, alternatives like "glance" or "observe" can be considered. Remember to use "peek" when emphasizing a quick, often secretive, look, especially when something is partially hidden.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

glance

A quick look, often taken furtively or casually.

glimpse

A brief or incomplete view.

peep

To look quickly, often through a small opening.

sneak a look

To look secretly or without permission.

take a peek

To take a quick look, often implying curiosity.

cast an eye

To look briefly or casually.

have a look

To examine or inspect something.

take a glance

To look quickly and briefly.

steal a glance

To look quickly and secretively.

get a glimpse

To catch a brief or fleeting view.

FAQs

How can I use "peek" in a sentence?

You can use "peek" to describe a quick or furtive look, as in, "I took a "peek" at the report before the meeting."

What's the difference between "peek" and "peep"?

"Peek" generally implies a quick look, while "peep" often suggests looking through a small opening or from a concealed position. Both are very similar but not 100% interchangeable. For example, you can "peek" at information but you "peep" through a keyhole.

What can I say instead of "peek"?

You can use alternatives like "glance", "glimpse", or "peep" depending on the context.

Is "peek" formal or informal?

"Peek" is generally considered informal but is acceptable in many contexts. For more formal situations, consider using "glance" or "observe".