51³Ô¹Ï

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View synonyms for

peak

1

[peek]

noun

  1. the pointed top of a mountain or ridge.

  2. a mountain with a pointed summit.

  3. the pointed top of anything.

  4. the highest or most important point or level.

    the peak of her political career.

    Synonyms: , , , , , , , ,
    Antonyms: , ,
  5. the maximum point, degree, or volume of anything.

    Oil prices reached their peak last year.

  6. a time of the day or year when traffic, use, demand, etc., is greatest and charges, fares, or the like are at the maximum.

    Early evening is the peak on commuter railroads.

  7. the higher fare, charges, etc., during such a period.

    If you fly during the Christmas holidays, you'll have to pay peak.

  8. Physics.Ìý

    1. the maximum value of a quantity during a specified time interval.

      a voltage peak.

    2. the maximum power consumed or produced by a unit or group of units in a stated period of time.

  9. a projecting point.

    the peak of a man's beard.

  10. widow's peak.

  11. a projecting front piece, or visor, of a cap.

  12. Phonetics.Ìýnucleus.

  13. Nautical.Ìý

    1. the contracted part of a ship's hull at the bow or the stern.

    2. the upper after corner of a sail that is extended by a gaff.

    3. the outer extremity of a gaff.



verb (used without object)

  1. to project in a peak.

  2. to attain a peak of activity, development, popularity, etc..

    The artist peaked in the 1950s.

verb (used with object)

  1. Nautical.Ìýto raise the after end of (a yard, gaff, etc.) to or toward an angle above the horizontal.

adjective

  1. Also being at the point of maximum frequency, intensity, use, etc.; busiest or most active.

    Hotel rooms are most expensive during the peak travel seasons.

  2. constituting the highest or maximum level, volume, etc.; optimal; prime.

    a machine running at peak performance.

  3. being at the height of trendiness, public notice, etc.

    We have reached peak “exercise dressâ€â€”women are gravitating toward sporty, stretchy skort-dresses for everyday wear.

  4. being the most perfect embodiment of something.

    Peak Gemini energy on display as our kid takes one lick off everyone’s cone, because she likes all the ice cream flavors.

peak

2

[peek]

verb (used without object)

  1. to become weak, thin, and sickly.

peak

/ ±è¾±Ë°ì /

noun

  1. a pointed end, edge, or projection

    the peak of a roof

  2. the pointed summit of a mountain

  3. a mountain with a pointed summit

  4. the point of greatest development, strength, etc

    the peak of his career

    1. a sharp increase in a physical quantity followed by a sharp decrease

      a voltage peak

    2. the maximum value of this quantity

    3. ( as modifier )

      peak voltage

  5. Also called: visor.Ìýa projecting piece on the front of some caps

    1. See widow's peak

    2. the pointed end of a beard

  6. nautical

    1. the extreme forward ( forepeak ) or aft ( afterpeak ) part of the hull

    2. (of a fore-and-aft quadrilateral sail) the after uppermost corner

    3. the after end of a gaff

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged†2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. (tr) nautical to set (a gaff) or tilt (oars) vertically

  2. to form or reach or cause to form or reach a peak or maximum

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged†2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

  1. of or relating to a period of highest use or demand, as for watching television, commuting, etc

    peak viewing hours

    peak time

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged†2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other 51³Ô¹Ï Forms

  • peakless adjective
  • peaklike adjective
  • peakish adjective
  • peakishly adverb
  • peakishness noun
  • ˈ±è±ð²¹°ì²â adjective
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51³Ô¹Ï History and Origins

Origin of peak1

First recorded in 1520–30; late Middle English pek(e) “spike, pointed tip,†Old English ±èÄ«³¦ “point, pointed instrument, pike,†probably originally a variant of pike 2 ( def. ); compare Middle Low German ±èŧ°ì, peek, peik “pick, pikeâ€

Origin of peak2

First recorded in 1500–10; origin uncertain
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51³Ô¹Ï History and Origins

Origin of peak1

C16: perhaps from pike ², influenced by beak 1 ; compare Spanish pico, French pic, Middle Low German ±èŧ°ì
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

But this week, even at what are typically its peak hours, tables sat empty.

From

Early summer is often peak pollen season, when the number of grains of pollen in the air multiplies.

From

It is also well below the peaks seen in 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, when it spiked to nearly $130.

From

The heat and humidity has been building gradually, especially across northern and eastern parts of England where temperatures are expected to peak on Friday afternoon.

From

But I like to do a joke that has different peaks and valleys to it and where people are like — you see them physically going back, then they’re like, “Ah, I love that.â€

From

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When To Use

What's the difference betweenÌýpeak,Ìýpeek, andÌýpique?

The word peak refers to the top of a mountain or, more figuratively, to the highest point of something, as in the peak of my career. The word peek is most commonly used as a verb meaning to look at something quickly or sneakily and as a noun referring to such a look. The less frequently used word pique is most commonly used as a verb meaning to arouse or excite a particular feeling, as in Advertisements are designed to pique your interest.The confusion surrounding the three words—all three of which can be used as both a verb and a noun—is mainly due to the fact that they are all pronounced the same.Since peak and peek are so close in spelling, one way to tell them apart is to remember that peek has two e’s, which kind of look like two little eyes peeking out between the p and the k. Another way to remember this is that peek has two e’s like look has two o’s.To remember what pique means (and how to spell it), remember that the things that pique your interest or curiosity are often unique.Here’s an example of peak, peek, and pique used correctly in a sentence.Example: The image of the strange mountain peak on the cover was meant to pique your curiosity, and it worked—you picked up the magazine to peek inside.Want to learn more? Read the breakdown of the difference between peaked, peeked, and piqued.

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