Wednesday's Words & Woes: Peak, Peek, Pique, Piqué

Here are three (plus one) words that bedevil even the most conscientious of writers:

Strictly speaking, the "plus one" -- piqué --  isn't a homophone, but because it's written almost like pique, it's worth mentioning. And many folks have wondered if it's even a real word. Yes. It is a real word, but it's pronounced differently from the first three.

Peak can mean many things, but they're related to height, whether literal or metaphorical. It can mean a physical high point, or a time of great success, or even top performance.

She's reaching the peak of her career.
We all hope the flu season has peaked.
I hope he doesn't peak too soon!
Look how high those whipped egg white peaks are!
There are a lot of snow-covered peaks in the Colorado Rockies.
The stock market peaked at nearly 20,000 last year!
Has the mill reached its level of peak productivity yet?
Her hair has a lovely widow's peak.

Peek's definitions are all related to not looking at something very long or very directly. And one way to remember peek is to link it with peep.

Susan took a peek at the Christmas presents last night!
Susan peeked at the Christmas present last night!
I want to look through the peek hole in the door!
 

Pique is the odd one because some writers don't even know it exists. It sounds exactly the same as peak and peek, but its use is entirely different. It can mean to arouse, to excite, to irritate, or to wound. Most of us will use it in the phrase "piqued my interest," though.

The design of that room really piqued (aroused) my interest!
Fran was really piqued (upset) when Sam argued with her.
Her curiosity was piqued (aroused) by what she heard.
His remarks really piqued (hurt) my pride. 

Piqué is here because it's written almost the same as pique (yes, the accent mark is required) but it sounds completely different. It is a tightly woven fabric, and its origins are French. It's pronounced "pee-kay."

So there you have it: four words that may have given you trouble in the past that you can now master. Right?

As always, your thoughts are welcome. And if you know of other words that drive you batty, please share them with us. I will be happy to feature them in an upcoming edition of Wednesday's Words & Woes.

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Posts you may have missed last month
Monday Grammar Checkup: The Continuing Perils of Trusting Spellcheck
Tuesday Tricksters, January 5
Wednesday's Words & Woes: Advice / Advise
Happy Friday to You! 
Monday's Grammar Checkup: Capital Letters
Tuesday Tricksters, January 12 
Wednesday's Word & Woes: Advice & Advise
Friday Fun Food Day, January 15 
Monday's Grammar Checkup: QUIZ on Lie & Lay
Here We Go: Tuesday's Tricksters, January 19
Wednesdays Words & Woes: A Lot, Allot, Alot
Another Friday Funday, January 22
Monday Grammar Checkup: Another American Grammar Quiz!
Wednesday's Words & Woes: Loose & Lose
Oh! Look! It's a Frozen, Fabulous, Friday Funday!

February's Offerings So Far
Grammar Checkup: It's a Numbers Game
Tuesday Tricksters, February 2: Finally Some F Words!ddd
Wednesday's Words & Woes: Their, There, They're   
It's February. It's Freezing. It's Friday Funday!
Grammar Checkup: Pity the Poor Semicolon!
Tuesday Tricksters, February 9

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As an international corporate trainer, I have worked worldwide for nearly 20 years creating and leading American grammar (U.S. only), business writing, and a variety of interpersonal communication skills workshops. I am also a copy editor and proofreader, mainly of business-related materials. My home base is in Massachusetts, but I will travel anywhere to help business professionals look and sound as smart as they are.