ENGLISH
REFERENCE

peak

n. · v. · adj.
US //ˈpik// UK //pˈiːk// peak
  1. 1 mountain top (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    the pointed top of a mountain or hill.

    the summit or highest point of a mountain, hill, or range, typically terminating in a point.

    Example

    The climbers finally reached the peak of the mountain just before the storm arrived.

    Example

    From the valley floor, the jagged peak remained hidden behind a thick veil of mist until the afternoon winds cleared the sky.
  2. 2 highest level (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the point when something is at its highest level or most successful.

    the point of highest intensity, value, or achievement within a specific period.

    Example

    Traffic usually reaches its peak around five o'clock in the afternoon.

    Example

    The athlete was at the peak of her career when she won three gold medals in a single season.
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  1. 3 part of a cap (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate British English

    the front part of a hat that shades your eyes from the sun.

    the stiff, projecting front part of a cap; often referred to as a visor in American English.

    Example

    He pulled the peak of his cap down to hide his face from the cameras.

    Example

    The officer adjusted the peak of his service cap, ensuring it sat perfectly level before the inspection began.
  2. 4 excellent quality (n.)
    C1 Advanced Slang Informal

    something that is of the highest possible quality or the best example of its kind.

    a state of exceptional quality or the quintessential representation of a genre or type.

    Example

    That new superhero movie is peak cinema.

    Example

    The internet erupted in memes, claiming the season finale was peak television for its unexpected plot twists.

    Teacher's tip

    This usage is very common in internet culture to describe media or moments that are perfect or archetypal.
  3. 5 to reach a maximum (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to reach the highest point or level.

    to reach a maximum level of intensity, volume, or activity. Often used as an intransitive verb.

    Example

    The fever usually peaks in the middle of the night.

    Example

    Economists predict that inflation will peak in the second quarter before gradually declining toward the end of the year.
    • bottom out
  4. 6 maximum or busiest (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    used to describe the time when something is at its highest level or most busy.

    relating to the period of maximum demand or greatest intensity.

    Example

    Electricity costs more during peak hours when everyone is using it.

    Example

    The hotel increases its rates significantly during the peak tourist season to capitalise on the high demand.
    • off peak
  5. 7 bad or unlucky (adj.)
    C2 Proficiency Slang British English Dialect

    used to describe a situation that is very bad, unfair, or unlucky.

    denoting a situation that is unfortunate, disappointing, or particularly difficult.

    Example

    It is so peak that your car broke down on the way to the interview.

    Example

    Missing the last train home when it is raining is absolutely peak.

    Teacher's tip

    This is specifically Multicultural London English (MLE). In this dialect, 'peak' can mean 'very bad', which is the opposite of its standard 'top quality' slang meaning.
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.

Word family

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