peep
gb/pˈip/ us/pˈip/
B1
English
~ 8500
kukucskál, beleles, kukkantás, pillantás, előbukkan, kibújik, kikandikál, csipog, csipogás, mukk, pisszenés, szó, baráti társaság, haverok, banda, haveri társaság, spanok, csekkol, megnéz
VERB
B1
1
Usage pattern:
to peep [at/through/into] [something]
She peeped through the curtains to see who was at the door.
A függöny mögül kikukucskált, hogy megnézze, ki áll az ajtóban.
The children peeped at their birthday presents when no one was watching.
A gyerekek belelestek a születésnapi ajándékaikba, amikor senki sem figyelt oda.
I caught him peeping into the classroom window before the exam.
A pair of eyes peeped out from behind the tree and then vanished.
Learner examples
The boy peeped through the keyhole.
A fiú bekukucskált a kulcslyukon át.
Please do not peep at your test before the teacher says start.
Kérlek, ne less bele a dolgozatodba, mielőtt a tanár azt mondja, hogy kezdhettek.
A small cat peeped out from under the bed.
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse “peep” with the more common word “peek.” In modern English, “peek” is usually preferred for a quick look, especially in phrases like “peek at” or “peek through.” “Peep” can sound a bit more childish or old-fashioned in this sense, though it is still correct.
Meaning
look quickly or secretly
Collocations
peep through the keyhole
|peep at the answers
|peep into the room
|peep over the fence
|peep out from behind [something]
Synonyms
peek (Almost the same meaning; more common in modern English and slightly more neutral in tone.)
|
glance (Means a quick look but is not especially secret or through an opening.)
Antonyms
stare (Means to look for a long time, often openly, not quickly or secretly.)
Themes
daily life
|perception
|core_vocabulary
Definition
to look very quickly, often in a secret way or through a small space
To look briefly and often secretly, especially through a narrow opening or from a hidden position.
NOUN
B2
2
Usage pattern:
a peep at [something]
He took a quick peep at his phone under the table.
Gyors pillantást vetett a telefonjára az asztal alatt.
I had a peep through the window to see if anyone was home.
Bekukkantottam az ablakon, hogy lássam, van-e otthon valaki.
The kids asked if they could have a peep at their presents.
Learner examples
She had a peep at the baby while he slept.
Vetett egy pillantást a babára, miközben aludt.
Can I take a peep at your book?
Belekukkanthatok a könyvedbe?
I went to the door for a quick peep outside.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes write *“take a peek”* but switch the spelling to “peap” or confuse it with “pipe.” Also, they may overuse “peep” where “look” or “peek” would be more natural in everyday English.
Meaning
a quick or secret look
Collocations
have a peep
|take a peep
|a quick peep
|a secret peep
|a peep at the answers
Synonyms
peek (The usual modern word for a quick, often secret, look; “peep” is slightly less common and can sound more playful or childish.)
Antonyms
long look (A look that is not brief; the opposite of a quick peep.)
Themes
daily life
|perception
|core_vocabulary
Definition
a very quick look, often in secret or through a small space
A brief and often secret look, especially taken through a narrow opening or from a hidden position.
VERB
B2
3
Usage pattern:
to peep [out/through/from/over] [place]
The first rays of sunlight peeped through the curtains.
Az első napsugarak átszűrődtek a függönyön.
Tiny green shoots were already peeping up through the soil.
Az apró zöld hajtások már kibújtak a talajból.
A small child peeped out of the doorway and then hid again.
The full moon peeped over the hill as the sky grew dark.
Learner examples
The sun peeped through the clouds.
A nap előbukkant a felhők közül.
I saw a little mouse peep out from a hole.
Láttam, ahogy egy kisegér kikukkant egy lyukból.
New flowers were peeping up in the garden.
Common mistake:
Learners may mix this sense with the ‘quick/secret look’ sense and try to use an object, e.g. *“The sun peeped the sky.”* In this meaning, the thing that peeps is what becomes visible, and it does not take a direct object.
Meaning
just start to be seen
Collocations
sun peeped through the clouds
|light peeped under the door
|flowers peeping up through the soil
|a face peeping out of the window
|the moon peeped over the horizon
Synonyms
peek out (Informal phrase with almost the same meaning; “peep” in this sense is a bit more literary or descriptive.)
Antonyms
disappear (Means to stop being visible, the opposite of starting to be seen.)
Themes
nature
|perception
|core_vocabulary
Definition
to be seen only a little, usually from behind or under something
To begin to be seen slightly, especially when appearing from behind or through something that partly covers it.
VERB
B2
4
csipog
A2
Usage pattern:
[animal/device/person] peeps
The baby chicks peeped loudly as the mother hen returned.
A kiscsibék hangosan csipogtak, amikor visszatért az anyjuk.
A tiny bird peeped in the bushes outside my window.
Egy apró madár csipogott az ablakom előtti bokrokban.
The toy began to peep softly when I pressed the button.
Learner examples
Many small birds peep in the morning.
Sok kismadár csipog reggel.
The little chicks peeped when they were hungry.
A kiscsibék csipogtak, amikor éhesek voltak.
I heard a toy peep in the next room.
Common mistake:
Learners may not know this sound-related meaning and may think only of “peep” as “look quickly.” In this sense, “peep” does not take an object; it describes the sound itself.
Meaning
make a short high-pitched sound
Collocations
chicks peeping
|peeping loudly
|peeping softly
|the birds peeped all morning
|a peeping alarm
Synonyms
cheep (Very close in meaning and often used for chicks and small birds; “peep” can also be used for faint human or device sounds.)
Antonyms
be silent (Means to make no sound at all, the opposite of peeping.)
Themes
nature
|sound
|animals
Definition
to make a small, high sound like a baby bird
To produce a short, high-pitched sound, especially as a chick or other small animal.
NOUN
B2
5
csipogás
A2
Usage pattern:
a peep from [something/someone]
We heard the first peep of the chicks from inside the eggs.
Hallottuk a csibék első csipogását a tojások belsejéből.
Not a single peep came from the nest after the storm.
A vihar után egyetlen csipogás sem hallatszott a fészekből.
A faint peep from the box told us the bird was still alive.
Learner examples
I heard a peep from the little bird.
Hallottam a kismadár csipogását.
There was not one peep from the cage.
Egyetlen csipogás sem hallatszott a kalitkából.
The room was quiet except for one small peep.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with the idiomatic negative phrase “not a peep,” which can mean not a word or not a complaint, not just a physical sound.
Meaning
short high-pitched sound
Collocations
the peep of a chick
|tiny peeps
|a faint peep
|a soft peep
|the first peeps of the birds
Synonyms
cheep (Describes the same type of small bird sound; “peep” is similar but sometimes suggests a slightly clearer, single sound.)
Antonyms
silence (The complete absence of sound, the opposite of a peep.)
Themes
nature
|sound
|animals
Definition
a small, high sound, like a baby bird makes
A short, high-pitched sound, especially one made by a chick or other small creature.
NOUN
B2
6
Usage pattern:
not a peep (from [someone])
The children sat through the whole movie without a peep.
A gyerekek egy pisszenés nélkül ülték végig az egész filmet.
I waited for him to complain, but he didn’t say a peep.
Vártam, hogy panaszkodjon, de egy mukkot sem szólt.
We never heard a peep from the neighbors about the noise.
Learner examples
The baby slept all night and made not a peep.
A baba egész éjjel aludt, és egy pisszenést sem hallatott.
She left the room without a peep.
Egy szó nélkül kiment a szobából.
He did not say a peep about the problem.
Common mistake:
Learners may try to use this meaning in positive sentences like *“He said a peep”* or *“She made a peep,”* which sound unnatural. It is almost always used in negative forms: “not a peep,” “without a peep,” “didn’t say a peep.”
Meaning
spoken word, used in negatives
Collocations
not a peep
|without a peep
|didn't say a peep
|never heard a peep
|not one peep
Synonyms
word (In phrases like “not a word,” it matches “not a peep,” meaning no spoken sound or complaint.)
Antonyms
outcry (A loud, strong protest or complaint, the opposite of complete silence or lack of complaint.)
Themes
communication
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
a word or complaint, used in sentences like “not a peep” to mean no sound or no complaint at all
A spoken word, protest, or complaint, used almost only in negative phrases to mean that no sound or complaint was made.
NOUN
B2
SLANG
7
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s peeps
I’m going to the game with my peeps this weekend.
A hétvégén a haverjaimmal megyek a meccsre.
Shout-out to all my online peeps who helped me with this project.
Pacsi minden online haveromnak, aki segített ebben a projektben.
Her social media posts are usually just updates for her peeps.
Learner examples
I had coffee with my peeps after work.
Munka után kávéztam a haverjaimmal.
He sent a funny photo to his peeps.
Küldött egy vicces fotót a haverjainak.
All my peeps liked the new song.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use “peep” in the singular for this slang meaning, but it is normally used as a plural noun: “my peeps,” not *“my peep.”* It is also quite informal and not suitable for formal writing.
Meaning
friends or people you know
Collocations
my peeps
|shout-out to my peeps
|hanging with my peeps
|online peeps
|tell your peeps
Synonyms
crew (Informal word for a close group of friends; “peeps” is similar but often sounds more playful or internet-influenced.)
Antonyms
strangers (People you do not know at all, the opposite of your familiar “peeps.”)
Themes
social
|informal_language
|relationships
|daily_life
Definition
your friends or the people close to you; usually said as “peeps”
People, especially someone’s friends, supporters, or the group they feel close to; usually used in the plural “peeps.”
VERB
C1
SLANG
8
Usage pattern:
to peep [something]
Yo, peep this new track I just dropped.
Hé, csekkold ezt az új számot, most dobtam ki.
Make sure you peep the comments before you reply.
Mindenképp csekkold a kommenteket, mielőtt válaszolsz.
Peep my story if you want to see the behind-the-scenes video.
Learner examples
Peep this funny video I found.
Csekkold ezt a vicces videót, amit találtam.
You should peep his new game channel.
Csekkold az új gamer csatornáját.
Peep the link I sent you.
Common mistake:
Learners may use this slang in formal writing or with people they do not know well. It is best kept for very informal speech, music, and online chat, and mainly among peers.
Meaning
check out; look at (slang)
Collocations
peep this
|peep my new song
|peep the video
|peep the stats
|peep my outfit
Synonyms
check out (Very similar meaning; “check out” is common informal English, while “peep” is slangier and used in specific communities.)
Antonyms
ignore (Means to deliberately not look at or pay attention to something.)
Themes
informal_language
|media
|core_vocabulary
Definition
to look at something to check it or enjoy it; very informal slang
To look at something, especially to check it out, examine it, or admire it; mainly in informal or slang use.
Grammar
Dictionary form
peep
IPA
GB/pˈip/
US/pˈip/
Syllables & stress
peep (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (peep)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: peep
- Plural: peeps
Verb
- Base: peep
- 3rd Person Singular: peeps
- Present Participle: peeping
- Past: peeped
Word family
Forms
peeps
noun
peeping
verb
peeped
verb
Related words
peephole
noun
Advanced or less common
peeper
noun
Expressions
have a peep
1/hˈæv ə pˈip/
fixed phrase
informal
take a quick or secret look
to look quickly, often in a secret or playful way
Examples
- Do you want to have a peep at the photos?
- He had a quick peep through the window before knocking.
- We lifted the lid to have a peep inside the box.
my peeps
1/mˈaɪ pˈips/
fixed phrase
slang
my close friends or group
a slang way to say “my friends” or “my people”
Examples
- I’m going out with my peeps tonight.
- Happy New Year to all my peeps online!
not a peep
1/nˈɑt ə pˈip/
idiom
no sound or complaint at all
used to say that someone makes no sound or no complaint at all
Examples
- The baby slept through the night and didn’t make not a peep.
- We waited for someone to object, but there was not a peep from the crowd.
- You must sit still in the exam room and not make a peep.
peep at
1/pˈip ˈæt/
phrasal verb
look quickly or secretly at
to look very quickly at something, often in a secret way
Examples
- The students tried to peep at each other’s papers.
- Don’t peep at your gift before your birthday.
- She peeped at the clock to see the time.
peep hole
1/pˈip hˈoʊl/
fixed phrase
small hole for looking through
a small hole in a door or wall that you look through to see who or what is on the other side
Examples
- She checked the visitor through the peep hole before opening the door.
- Modern doors often have a camera instead of a simple peep hole.
peep into
1/pˈip ˈɪntu/
phrasal verb
look briefly inside
to look quickly inside a room, box, or other place
Examples
- She peeped into the box to see what was there.
- I peeped into the room before going in.
- They peeped into the bag and started laughing.
peep out
1/pˈip ˈaʊt/
phrasal verb
start to be seen from behind
to be seen a little from behind or under something
Examples
- A small face peeped out from behind the door.
- The sun peeped out from behind the clouds.
- Her socks peeped out from under her jeans.
peep show
1/pˈip ʃˈoʊ/
fixed phrase
booth for viewing erotic images
a place or show where people pay money to look at sexual pictures or a person, usually through a small window
Examples
- The old street used to have a peep show before it was cleaned up.
- Many cities have laws that control where peep shows can open.
peep this
1/pˈip ðˈɪs/
idiom
slang
check this out (slang)
a slang way to say “look at this” or “check this out”
Examples
- Peep this new video I just uploaded.
- Yo, peep this meme, it’s hilarious.
peep through
1/pˈip θɹˈu/
phrasal verb
look through a small opening
to look through a small space in something, like a hole or a crack
Examples
- He peeped through the keyhole to see who was inside.
- I peeped through the fence and saw the garden.
- She peeped through the curtains when she heard a noise.
take a peep
1/tˈeɪk ə pˈip/
fixed phrase
informal
take a short secret look
to look for a very short time, often secretly
Examples
- She took a peep at the answers before the test started.
- Come and take a peep at the new office.
- He opened the door just enough to take a peep into the room.
peeping tom
1/pˈipɪŋ tˈɑm/
fixed phrase
informal
Person secretly watching sexually
Someone who secretly watches people when they are naked or having sex.
Examples
- The police caught a peeping tom outside the dormitory.
- Calling someone a peeping tom is accusing them of being a sexual voyeur.
peeping tom
2/pˈipɪŋ tˈɑm/
fixed phrase
person who secretly watches others
a person who secretly looks at other people, especially when they are naked or in a private place
Examples
- The neighbors reported a peeping Tom near the apartment building.
- Being a peeping Tom is a serious invasion of privacy.