What does "peep" mean?
A short, soft, high-pitched sound, as made by a baby bird.
Peep
/piːp/ noun, verb, slang
noun, verb, slang ·Common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A short, soft, high-pitched sound, as made by a baby bird.
- Grammar: peep is listed as noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: peek, beep, aperture, appear.
- Useful contrasts: blocked opening, conceal, disappear.
- Usage evidence: She would have liked to peep in, but could not do such a thing.
How to use "peep"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "peep" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "peep" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "peep" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "peep" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "peep" is acting as noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "peek" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "peep", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A short, soft, high-pitched sound, as made by a baby bird.
- 2 A quick look or glimpse, especially a furtive one.
"So saying she loosened some ivory screws of the guitar, so as to open a peep lengthwise through its interior."
- 3 A spot on a die or domino. obsolete
- 4 A person. British, slang
- 5 Alternative letter-case form of Peep alt-of
Show 10 more definitions
- 6 A soft marshmallow confection, shaped into a baby animal for Easter celebration. US
- 7 A World War II jeep attached to an armored regiment. slang
- 8 a secret look wordnet
- 9 A feeble utterance or complaint.
"I don't want to hear a peep out of you!"
- 10 The first partial appearance of something; a beginning to appear.
"the peep of day"
- 11 Acronym of positive end-expiratory pressure. abbreviation, acronym, alt-of
- 12 the short weak cry of a young bird wordnet
- 13 The sound of a steam engine's whistle; typically shrill.
"With a "peep" from a high-pitched whistle, the train would leave by the crossover to the down line, […]."
- 14 A peepshow.
"A boring lusterless attempt at pornography, a niche above the racks of pulp pocketbooks sold in the front room of peeps."
- 15 A sandpiper or other small wader. colloquial
Verb
- 1 To make a soft, shrill noise like a baby bird.
- 2 To look, especially through a narrow opening, or while trying not to be seen or noticed. intransitive
"The man peeped through the small hole."
- 3 appear as though from hiding wordnet
- 4 To speak briefly with a quiet voice.
- 5 To begin to appear; to look forth from concealment; to make the first appearance. dated, intransitive
"When flowers first peeped, and trees did blossoms bear."
Show 6 more definitions
- 6 speak in a hesitant and high-pitched tone of voice wordnet
- 7 To take a look at; check out. slang, transitive
"Did you peep that video I sent you?"
- 8 make high-pitched sounds wordnet
- 9 To see, uncover. slang, transitive
"A lot of females were hesitant about getting with Pimp. He had a hard edge to him that made it impossible not to peep his cruel nature."
- 10 cause to come into view wordnet
- 11 look furtively wordnet
Example
"She would have liked to peep in, but could not do such a thing."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "peep"?
Common synonyms include: peek, beep, aperture, appear, beeping, bend the eyes.
How do you use "peep" in a sentence?
She would have liked to peep in, but could not do such a thing.
How do you pronounce "peep"?
Pronounced /piːp/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English pepen. Compare Dutch piepen (“peep”), German Low German piepen (“to peep”), German piepen and pfeifen, all probably onomatopoeic.
Etymology 2
From Middle English pepen, variant of piken.
Etymology 3
Uncertain; perhaps variant of pip.
Etymology 4
Back-formation from peeps, a shortened form of people.
Etymology 5
Genericized trademark from the confection brand Peeps.
Etymology 6
Genericized trademark from the confection brand Peeps, owned by Just Born, Inc.