From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishpeeppeep1 /piːp/ verb 1 [intransitive]SHOW/LET somebody SEE something to look at something quickly and secretly, especially through a hole or opening SYN peek, → peerpeep into/through/out etc The door was ajar and Helen peeped in. Henry peeped through the window into the kitchen.► see thesaurus at look2 [intransitive always + adverb/preposition]LOOK AT if something peeps from somewhere, you can just see a small amount of itpeep through/from/out etc I could see her toes peeping out from under the sheet.3 [transitive] informal to look at something because it is interesting or attractive On our website you can peep our video interview with R&B’s newest supergroup.→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
peep• Bobby peeped around the corner to see if anyone was coming.• Suddenly, one of my own was featured in a magazine I had peeped at previously, strictly for prurient purposes.• The question now was, did I want to peep at the issue in which my niece appears?• The effect is rather like peeping into some one's mind and glimpsing snatches of recalled images, thoughts and conversation.• But I knew I had to look, so slowly I peeped round the door.• First they come to peep, then they play at racing cars.• We peeped through a crack in the fence and saw Mrs Finley talking to a strange-looking man.• He peeped through the white ornamental ironwork of the gate.peep into/through/out etc• I peep through another door, open across the hall: no one.• You would probably peep out first, start looking round close to the spaceship and then start going further afield.• The bodyguards peeped out from the back of the van as it drew Lip to the grocery store.• He peeped through his fingers, staring at the quarry-tiled floor.• Four weeks and not a peep out of me.• A bat drove peeping through the dark.• He peeped through the white ornamental ironwork of the gate.peep through/from/out etc• You would probably peep out first, start looking round close to the spaceship and then start going further afield.• The bodyguards peeped out from the back of the van as it drew Lip to the grocery store.• Here and there a partial car skeleton peeped out of encroaching weeds, giving the neighborhood a certain Appalachian ambience.• Four weeks and not a peep out of me.• Henry made his way through Danny's yard and peeped through the back window.• He peeped through the white ornamental ironwork of the gate.• Mum lifted the corner of the curtain and peeped out to see who it was.peeppeep2 noun [countable] 1 QUIETa quick or secret look at somethingpeep at/into Jon took a peep at his watch.2 → a peep3 x-refa short high sound, like the sound a mouse or a young bird makes the peep of a chick loud peeps from the smoke alarm4 (also peeps) informal a word meaning ‘people’, used in magazinesExamples from the Corpus
peep• The traders who spoke to us never uttered so much as a peep against them.• He got a peep at her face before she slammed the door.• I had a peep at her last Sunday.• Have a peep through the viewing glass.• Four weeks and not a peep out of me.• Not a peep is emitted by the Arizona senator who loves to crow.• Why are their forays to and above the leaf surface accompanied by squeaks and peeps?• Before he took off, he couldn't resist another quick peep under the wagon.• Listen, you've had your peep inside the Ladies.peep at/into• I had a peep at her last Sunday.• This was not one of the women he had peeped at on other occasions.• Suddenly, one of my own was featured in a magazine I had peeped at previously, strictly for prurient purposes.• We hide behind our men, peeping at each other in a curious and suspicious fashion.• From there, she peeped at his tall muscular figure, so solitary, always alone.• She shrugged, tears peeping at the corners of her eyes.• The question now was, did I want to peep at the issue in which my niece appears?Origin peep1 (1400-1500) Perhaps from peek peep2 1. (1500-1600) → PEEP12. (1400-1500) From the sound. 3. (1900-2000) people 