pique

¹

[ peek ]

verb (used with object)

, piqued, piqu·ing.

1. to affect with sharp irritation and resentment, especially by some wound to pride:

   She was greatly piqued when they refused her invitation.

   Synonyms: chafe, irritate, vex, nettle, sting, offend

   Antonyms: please

2. to wound (the pride, vanity, etc.).

   Synonyms: affront

   Antonyms: compliment

3. to excite (interest, curiosity, etc.):

   Her curiosity was piqued by the gossip.

   Synonyms: goad, incite, prick, stir, stimulate

4. to arouse an emotion or provoke to action:

   to pique someone to answer a challenge.

5. Archaic. to pride (oneself) (usually followed by on or upon ).

verb (used without object)

, piqued, piqu·ing.

1. to arouse pique in someone:

   an action that piqued when it was meant to soothe.

noun

1. a feeling of irritation or resentment, as from a wound to pride or self-esteem:

   to be in a pique.

2. Obsolete. a state of irritated feeling between persons.

pique

²

[ peek ]

noun

, Piquet.

1. pic ².

piqué

³

[ pi-key, pee-; French pee-key ]

noun

, plural pi·qués [pi-, keyz, pee-, pee-, key]

1. a fabric of cotton, spun rayon, or silk, woven lengthwise with raised cords.
2. Ballet. a step in which the dancer steps onto the tip of the toe without bending the knee.
3. ornamentation by means of punched or stippled patterns, sometimes inlaid with metal, ivory, tortoise shell, etc.

adjective

1. (of glove seams and gloves) stitched through lapping edges.
2. decorated with inlay:

   a piqué box.

piqué

¹

/ ˈpiːkeɪ /

noun

1. a close-textured fabric of cotton, silk, or spun rayon woven with lengthwise ribs

pique

²

/ piːk /

noun

1. a feeling of resentment or irritation, as from having one's pride wounded

verb

1. to cause to feel resentment or irritation
2. to excite or arouse
3. foll byon or upon to pride or congratulate (oneself)

pique

³

/ piːk /

noun

1. a score of 30 points made by a player from a combination of cards held before play begins and from play while his opponent's score is nil

verb

1. to score a pique (against)

Word History and Origins

Origin of pique¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Middle French pique (noun), piquer (verb), from Vulgar Latin piccare (unrecorded) “to pick”; pick ¹, pike ²

Origin of pique²

First recorded in 1830–40; from French, past participle of piquer “to quilt, prick”; pique ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of pique¹

C19: from French piqué pricked, from piquer to prick

Origin of pique²

C16: from French, from piquer to prick, sting; see pick ¹

Origin of pique³

C17: from French pic, of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

That’s why phage therapy is starting to pique the interest of Western medicine again.

From Salon

But recently, one material in particular has piqued the interest of these researchers: macrocyclic molecular crystals.

From Science Daily

But though the home’s master bedroom was ransacked, the assailants never took the hair mogul’s valuable watch on his wrist, piquing the interest of detectives, said then-Robbery Homicide Division Capt. Billy Hayes.

From Los Angeles Times

But now that he knows Hollywood banned it, his interest is piqued.

From Los Angeles Times

The pictures, showing a pink and red glow, piqued the interest of hundreds of people, with many praising the "impressive" snaps, but all was not as it seemed.

From BBC

Related Words

• annoyance
• displeasure
• exasperation
• irritation

Pique vs. Peak vs. Peek

What's the difference between pique, peak, and peek?

The word pique is most commonly means to arouse or excite a particular feeling, as in Advertisements are designed to pique your interest. It can also be used as a verb meaning to irritate or as a noun referring to a feeling or irritation. 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 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.

To remember what pique means (and how to spell it), remember that the things that pique your interest or curiosity are often unique.

​Since peek and peak 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.

Here’s an example of pique, peak, and peek 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 piqued, peaked, and peeked.

Quiz yourself on pique vs. peak vs. peek!

Should pique, peak, or peek be used in the following sentence?

Insults like that tend to _____ him.