# peaking

/ˈpikɪŋ/ (US) · /pˈiːkɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/peaking
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. reaching a highest point

verb · CEFR B2

reaching the highest level, value, or amount of something.

For teachers: reaching a maximum point of intensity, volume, or value before a subsequent decline.

- The athlete is peaking at just the right time for the summer games.
- Economists noted that inflation appeared to be peaking, suggesting that the central bank might pause its cycle of interest rate hikes.

### 2. the act of reaching a maximum

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

the process or moment of reaching a highest point.

For teachers: the phenomenon or act of reaching a maximum level or capacity.

- The peaking of the river caused concern for those living in the valley.
- The simultaneous peaking of demand across multiple sectors put an unprecedented strain on the national power grid.

### 3. looking sick

adjective · CEFR C2 · British English · Informal

looking pale, thin, or unwell.

For teachers: appearing sickly, pale, or physically diminished, often due to illness or lack of sleep.

- You look a bit peaking today; did you get enough sleep last night?
- After a week of heavy flu, he still looked remarkably peaking and was clearly not ready to return to the office.

Usage: Often spelled 'peaky' in modern usage, though 'peaking' appears in older texts or specific dialects.

Teaching tip: This sense is quite rare in American English; learners will mostly encounter it in British literature or informal speech.

## Examples

- The athlete is peaking just in time for the Olympics.
- Electricity demand is peaking this afternoon due to the extreme heat and the widespread use of air conditioning.
- Economists suggest that while inflation appears to be peaking, the lag in wage adjustments means that consumer purchasing power will remain suppressed for several more quarters.

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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.