Ok. I’m starting something new. Words that confuse us when we write. I mean, let’s face it. The English language is probably one of the hardest languages to learn because words have so many meanings, not to mention they have sound alike, but not spelled alike, twins. For example, today’s confusing words: peek, peak and pique. All sound alike, all can do and mean different things.
Peak as a noun: refers to the pinnacle of a hill or mountain. “The hikers arrived at the peak at sunset.”
Peak as a verb: it means to reach a maximum. “His speed will peak at 130 miles per hour.”
Peak as an adjective: “His peak speed is 130 miles per hour.”
Peek as a noun or a verb means to glance or have a brief look.
Pique, as a noun means a sense of wounded pride. “More is at stake than just personal pique.”
Pique as a verb means to excite, arouse or irritate. “The manuscript piqued the editor’s interest.”
I hope you visit every Wednesday for more Words of Confusion. Until next time…
Related articles
- The Importance of Vocabulary (classroomcaboodleblog.com)
- Confusing (treemama.wordpress.com)
YA Chit Chat 
I don’t get these guys confused, but I do tend to spell pique wrong. See? It just doesn’t look right.
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Good idea. I keep thinking to, two, and too. Word check needs us to decide. 🙂
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I have to pause and think about this one too . . . then hubs sees the smoke blowing out my ears and asks me to stop thinking so hard 😉 Great idea!
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English is not a language for the faint of heart or easily confused. If I can learn it, I should be able to easily master a second language, right?
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Ah, yes, I have stumbled upon a few ‘peak’s when it should have been ‘peek’ in my manuscripts–or vice versa. Spell check doesn’t catch those either. It’s all on us. 🙂
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This is a great idea, Jenny! There certainly are a lot of words like these in the English language. It’s no wonder those learning it as a second language have such difficulty. Then, again, there are so many people whose first language is English who still have trouble. Take Facebook as an example, where even the most common words are being misused and misspelled on a regular basis.
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Also “peaked”, meaning tired.
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