ESEN
Which one to use?Advancednounverb / noun
PeakvsPique
'Peak' is the highest point or to reach a maximum; 'pique' means to arouse curiosity or feel irritated.
Side-by-side comparison
Peak
noun"Peak" is the top of a mountain or the highest point of something. "Peak performance" = maximum performance level. "Off-peak hours" = periods of lower demand.
The company's revenues peaked in 2019 and have been declining steadily ever since.
She trained for three years to reach peak physical condition before the championship.
The mountain peak was visible from fifty kilometres away on a clear day.
Pique
verb / noun"Pique" is the verb to arouse or stimulate curiosity or interest. "It piqued my interest" = it aroused my interest. Also a noun: mild resentment. "A fit of pique" = a sudden feeling of irritation.
The mysterious title of the presentation piqued everyone's curiosity before it even began.
She left the meeting in a fit of pique after her proposal was dismissed without discussion.
His unusual background piqued the interviewer's interest and led to a much longer conversation than planned.
Common mistake
- •"It peaked my curiosity" is one of the most common errors in advanced English: arousing interest is expressed with "pique" (from French piquer, to stimulate).
- •"It piqued my curiosity" is the correct form.
Trick to remember it
- •"Peak" has EA going up to a summit.
- •"Peek" has double EE like two eyes.
- •"Pique" ends in -QUE like "unique" and "antique", the French ending signals its elegant imported origin.
Quick rule
"Peak" = summit or maximum. "Peek" = quick look. "Pique" = to arouse curiosity or feel offended. "Piqued my interest/curiosity" is the correct fixed phrase.
Did you know?
PIQUE comes from French "piquer" (to prick, to sting), the same root as "piquant" (pleasantly stimulating to the taste), "pike" (a pointed weapon), and the English "picket" (a pointed stake). It entered English in the 17th century through French cultural influence at the English court. The expression "piqued my curiosity" is so established in formal English that style guides mark it as a standard phrase. The error "peaked my interest" is so common that some descriptive linguists suggest it could eventually be accepted as a variant, though prescriptivists firmly resist. It is one of the best examples of the ongoing debate between usage and norm in English.
Practise what you learned
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
The trailer really _____ d my interest. I can't wait to see the full film.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
The mountain's _____ was covered in snow even in summer.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Related word pairs
PeakvsPeek
'Peak' is the top, highest point, or best moment; 'peek' means to look quickly and secretly.
AcceptvsExcept
One means to receive or agree to something, the other means to exclude or not include.
AdvicevsAdvise
'Advice' is the guidance you receive (noun); 'advise' is the act of giving that guidance (verb).
AffectvsEffect
'Affect' is the verb meaning to influence something; 'effect' is the noun meaning result or consequence.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy