# peak

/ˈpik/ (US) · /pˈiːk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/peak
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. mountain top

noun · CEFR B1

the pointed top of a mountain or hill.

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

- The climbers finally reached the peak of the mountain just before the storm arrived.
- From the valley floor, the jagged peak remained hidden behind a thick veil of mist until the afternoon winds cleared the sky.

### 2. highest level

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- Traffic usually reaches its peak around five o'clock in the afternoon.
- The athlete was at the peak of her career when she won three gold medals in a single season.

### 3. part of a cap

noun · CEFR B2 · British English

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

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

- He pulled the peak of his cap down to hide his face from the cameras.
- The officer adjusted the peak of his service cap, ensuring it sat perfectly level before the inspection began.

### 4. excellent quality

noun · CEFR C1 · Slang · Informal

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

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

- That new superhero movie is peak cinema.
- The internet erupted in memes, claiming the season finale was peak television for its unexpected plot twists.

Teaching tip: This usage is very common in internet culture to describe media or moments that are perfect or archetypal.

### 5. to reach a maximum

verb · CEFR B2

to reach the highest point or level.

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

- The fever usually peaks in the middle of the night.
- Economists predict that inflation will peak in the second quarter before gradually declining toward the end of the year.

### 6. maximum or busiest

adjective · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: relating to the period of maximum demand or greatest intensity.

- Electricity costs more during peak hours when everyone is using it.
- The hotel increases its rates significantly during the peak tourist season to capitalise on the high demand.

### 7. bad or unlucky

adjective · CEFR C2 · Slang · British English · Dialect

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

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

- It is so peak that your car broke down on the way to the interview.
- Missing the last train home when it is raining is absolutely peak.

Teaching 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.

## Examples

- The climbers finally reached the mountain peak.
- Traffic usually reaches its peak around five in the afternoon when everyone leaves work.
- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.