What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
peek
Example
She peeked through the window to see if anyone was home. [peeked: past tense]
Example
The child peeked out from behind the curtain to see if the surprise was ready. [peeked: verb]
spy
Example
The detective spied on the suspect to gather evidence. [spied: past tense]
Example
The spy infiltrated the enemy's headquarters to obtain valuable information. [spy: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Peek is more commonly used than spy in everyday language. Peek is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while spy is less common and usually associated with government agencies or military operations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between peek and spy?
While peek is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, spy is more formal and serious, often used in official or legal contexts.
