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to peep

to peep

2 1.5
To make a short high sound like a baby bird
  • verb
  • /pip/
translation icon : piar
  • When people walk close to a penguin with small chicks, the adult often stands, exposing the chick to light so that the chick peeps to be fed or burrows under the adult to be safe.
  • birds peep
  • chicks peep
  • frogs peep

Examples

  • Kitten, sprawled on the bed, peeped drowsily.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • Greek Chorus: Snakes that slither, cats that creep, pigs that wallow, birds that peep.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • Just like a chicken, peep peep peep.

  • Smaller robins peep from the nest above our heads.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • Sandpipers chased the foam, peeping and searching for food.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • The only animals for sale seemed to be chicks and cats peeping and mewing in wire cages.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Little frogs peeped; bigger frogs croaked.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • But there she was, climbing out of that rusty old car, and this little dark-headed girl peeped from behind Clancy's skirt.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Easing the station wagon to a stop by a reedy marsh in Bulls Head, I hear baby frogs peeping from the water in the gulches by the dirt. I don't see anything wrong with the road.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • In the early morning, I could hear the chicks peeping from their nest.

Synonyms

to squeak
vsto peep
82 1.4

To make a short high sound when things move or rub together

is a gentler high pitched sound rather than a harsh squeal
to pipe
vsto peep
47 7.0

To make a high thin sound like a small bird or child

is a milder high pitched sound rather than a shrill tone
to chirp
vsto peep
34 1.0

To make a short, high sound like a small bird, insect, or electronic device

is the same simple short high pitched sound without extra qualities
to tweet
vsto peep
4 2.7

To make a short, high sound like a small bird

is a single short note rather than a series of chirps
to chitter
vsto peep
3 8.0

To make short high noises like a small bird's call

is a single short sound rather than ongoing twittering
to cheep
vsto peep
1 3.9

To make a short, high sound like a baby bird

is the same short high pitched call but from any small animal or bird
to mew
vsto peep
1 7.9

To make a soft high sound like a kitten

is a simple short sound without the soft crying quality
to chirrup
vsto peep
8.1

To make repeated short, high sounds like small birds or insects

is a single short sound rather than repeated series
to pish
vsto peep
  • Jargon
9.9

To make a short sharp sound with your mouth to attract small birds

is a general short high pitched sound not aimed at attracting others

Compounds

peep of day
  • Archaic
9.5

Very early morning when the first light comes

peep sight
  • Specialized
8.0

A small rear part with a tiny hole that helps a shooter line up the front post and the target

wink-a-peep
  • Informal
9.9

A quick playful look that shows secret understanding or gentle flirting

How Loud

to squawk
16 4.7
call
301 1.0
to chirp
34 1.0
to peep
2 1.5
to cheep
1 3.9

Surface Forms

peep infinitive
peeped past
peeped past participle
peeping present participle
peeps third person singular

Etymology

Peep is an imitation of the short, high sound made by baby birds, so to peep is to make that 'short, high' little cry.