ENGLISH
REFERENCE

peak

n. countable
C1 Advanced Oxford US //ˈpik// UK //pˈiːk// peak Slang

n. the pointed top of a mountain or the highest point of something. You can also use it to describe the time when someone or something is most successful.

n. the pointed summit of a mountain or the highest point of a curve, graph, or physical object. Often used metaphorically to describe the period of greatest success, intensity, or activity.


SIMPLE

The climbers finally reached the mountain peak.

CONTEXTUAL

Traffic usually reaches its peak around five in the afternoon when everyone leaves work.

COMPLEX

The athlete announced her retirement while still at the peak of her career, preferring to leave the sport as a champion rather than face a slow decline in performance.

Synonyms
Etymology 1

From earlier peake, peek, peke, from Middle English pek (in place names), itself an alteration of pike, pyke, pyk (“a sharp point, pike”), from Old English pīc, piic (“a pike, needle, pin, peak, pinnacle”), from Proto-West Germanic pīk, from Proto-Germanic pīkaz (“peak”). Cognate with Dutch piek (“pike, point, summit, peak”), Danish pik (“pike, peak”), Swedish pik (“pike, lance, point, peak”), Norwegian pik (“peak, summit”). More at pike.

Etymology 2

Unknown. Perhaps related to Etymology 1 above in the sense of "becoming pointed" through emaciation.

Usage

Commonly used in the phrase 'at the peak of' to describe a maximum state.

Pitfall

He is at his peek performance.He is at his peak performance.Learners often confuse 'peak' (highest point) with 'peek' (a quick look) or 'pique' (to stimulate interest).

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