peek

Imagine you're building a fort with blankets and pillows. You might peek around the edge to see if your mom is coming before she discovers your cozy hideaway. To peek means to take a quick, often secret, look at something. It is not a long stare. It is just a fast glance.

You can peek at a present before your birthday, though you probably should not, or peek through the curtains to see if it is raining. Sometimes, things peek out from under other things, like a shy sunbeam coming out from behind the clouds. The word often carries a feeling of curiosity and a little sneakiness.

To peek means to look at something quickly and quietly, usually because you are curious or do not want to be seen. It is more than just looking. It suggests a short, careful glance, like trying to see something for a moment without drawing attention. For example: "The children tried to peek at their Christmas presents," or "She peeked through the keyhole to see who was there."

Peek can also describe something appearing briefly and becoming partly visible. Think of a shy animal peeking out from behind a tree, or the moon peeking through the clouds. In these cases, it is not about someone looking. Instead, it describes something showing itself for a moment.

The word often brings a sense of playfulness, curiosity, and sometimes mischief. It is often used with secrets, surprises, or hidden things. Unlike "stare," which suggests looking for a long time, peek is quick and brief. You might peek at your phone during a boring meeting, but you would not stare at it the whole time.

So, whether you're trying to catch a glimpse of something hidden or describing something briefly appearing in view, peek captures that quick, curious moment of partial revelation.