pique
/piːk/ IELTSAcademic
verb
If something piques your interest or curiosity, it makes you more interested or curious. It is often used in writing and formal speech.
- The headline piqued my curiosity.
- Her story piqued my interest.
- The title piqued everyone's attention.
noun
Pique is a feeling of slight anger or hurt, especially when your pride is affected. It can also mean a sudden feeling of interest.
- He spoke in a fit of pique.
- Her comment caused his pique.
- The article awoke my pique.
Adinary Nuance
Pique is more formal than words like "interest" or "annoyance." For curiosity, English speakers often say "spark" or "arouse" in simpler speech, but "pique" sounds more polished. For anger, it is milder than "rage" and often suggests hurt pride. It is common in academic and written English.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- sự tò mò
- Spanish
- curiosidad
- Chinese
- 激起
- Japanese
- 好奇心をそそる
- Korean
- 호기심을 자극하다
Etymology
Pique came into English from French in the 1600s. The verb and noun developed different meanings, but both keep the idea of a sharp reaction.
Common phrases
pique someone's interestin a fit of piquepique curiositypiqued by
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is pique formal or informal?
- Pique is fairly formal. You will see it more in writing, news, and academic English than in casual speech.
- What is the difference between pique and interest?
- Interest is the feeling itself. Pique often means something suddenly caused that feeling.
- Does pique mean anger or curiosity?
- It can mean both. As a noun, it often means mild anger; as a verb, it often means increased curiosity.