Take a glimpse at this episode of English In A Minute, where Saskia will explain the differences between ‘peep’, ‘peer’ and ‘glimpse’.
Saskia
Hi, everyone. Welcome back to English In A Minute.
Peep, peer and glimpse are all verbs of sight that mean ‘look at something’, but are used in different situations.
Let’s look at some examples:
My friend peeped at my test answers.
This verb means to ‘look at something quickly and secretively’.
I peered at the document trying to understand it.
Peer means ‘to look at something intently or carefully in detail’.
It can also be used in another way.
I was peering at the clock in the distance.
This example means that I had difficulty reading the clock. Maybe the clock was very small or I have bad eyesight.
I glimpsed the sunlight through the trees.
Glimpse means ‘to see something for a short time’, or ‘to only see part of something’.
We often use glimpse as a noun with the verb catch.
For example, I caught a glimpse of Phil as he left the office.
Bye, everyone.
Peep vs Peer vs Glimpse
Peep means ‘look at something quickly and secretively’.
- He peeped at my work.
- I peeped at the secret document.
Peer means ‘to look at something intently or carefully in detail’. It can also be used to describe difficulty looking at something.
- I peered at the document.
- I peered at the figure in the distance.
Glimpse means ‘to see something for a short time’, or ‘to only see part of something’. We often use glimpse as a noun with the verb catch.
- I glimpsed the monster.
- I caught a glimpse of the monster.