One syllable: peaked.
peekt
/pikt/
peaked is pronounced peekt (/pikt/). It has one syllable (peaked), with the stress on "peaked". Peaked is the past-tense form of peak, meaning to reach a highest point or to become acutely pointed. In pronunciation, it’s a one-syllable word ending in a voiceless /k/ release, typically with a short vowel sound. It conveys a completed action or state in contexts like mountains, interest, or attention drawing.
Peaked is the past-tense form of peak, meaning to reach a highest point or to become acutely pointed. In pronunciation, it’s a one-syllable word ending in a voiceless /k/ release, typically with a short vowel sound. It conveys a completed action or state in contexts like mountains, interest, or attention drawing.
- You may shorten the vowel to /i/ or /ɪ/. Keep the long /iː/ as in 'see' to avoid /pɪkt/ or /pɪkt/. - You might voice the final /t/ or insert a schwa before /t/. Ensure a crisp, voiceless /t/ release with no vowel between /iː/ and /k/. - Some speakers insert a separate /k/ before /t/ or confuse /pikt/ with /peekt/. Practice with slow tempo to lock the sequence: /piːkt/.
"The mountain top finally peaked after a long climb."
"Her interest peaked when she heard the surprising news."
"Sales peaked in July before dropping in August."
Pronounce as /piːkt/. The vowel is a long /iː/ as in 'beet', followed by a voiceless /k/ release. The word is one syllable with a tight final stop. Tip: start with a long /iː/, then end abruptly with /kt/—the /t/ is released immediately after the /k/.
Common errors include shortening the vowel to a lax /ɪ/ as in 'pin', or adding an additional alveolar stop before /k/. Some speakers insert an extra /ə/ or a light /ɡ/ sound by mistake. Correct by sustaining the /iː/ clearly, then snap the /k/ without voicing, and ensure there’s no vowel between the /iː/ and /k/—so it’s /piːkt/ not /pɪkɪt/.
Across US/UK/AU, the /iː/ vowel remains long, and the final /kt/ cluster is unreleased or released depending on pace. Rhotic influences do not affect this word; it remains non-voiced. In fast connected speech, you may hear a reduced /iː/ quality or a slight assimilation before /k/, but the core is /piːkt/. In some dialects, you might notice a crisper /t/ release, while others may have a softer, glottalized /t/ in very casual speech.
The difficulty lies in timing the long /iː/ vowel with the tight /k/ release, ensuring no nasalization or extra vowel between /iː/ and /k/. Beginners often insert an extra vowel (p-ee-kt) or misplace the tongue, creating /pikət/ or /piːkɪt/. Achieve accuracy by practicing a concise glide from the vowel straight into the /k/ closure, with a crisp /t/ release if the tempo allows.
No letters are silent in peaked. The word is pronounced with a visible /p/ onset, a long /iː/ vowel, and a /k/ + /t/ final cluster. The /t/ is typically pronounced, though in rapid speech it can be very lightly released or even slightly flapped in some dialects, but it remains non-voiced in standard pronunciation.
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- US: Maintain rhotic neutrality; vowel length generally preserved. - UK: Slightly tenser tongue for /iː/ with a crisp /t/ release; minimal vowel elongation before /k/. - AU: Similar to UK but with faster tempo in casual speech; the /t/ can be softer or glottalized in very casual speech. Use IPA: /piːkt/ across all. - Focus on lip rounding minimal; jaw slightly closed at /iː/ to keep the long vowel bright.
Peaked derives from peak, which traces to Old English heafoc? No—actual etymology: peak (n.) from Old French pic “point, tip” via Latin cuspis, later connected with Old English pecan? This is not precise. Correct etymology: The noun peak originates from Proto-Germanic *bakjo? The verb peak appears in Middle English with senses of reach a highest point. The past tense peaked follows regular -ed derivation. The sense of a pointed top (n.) is medieval, from Old English bec “beak, beak-like projection”? The modern sense “to reach the highest point” originates as a figurative extension of reaching a summit. The spelling and pronunciation of “ peaked” reflect the /iː/ vowel in peak which comes from Middle English ē. First known use as a verb form likely attested in late 16th to early 17th century in texts describing weather or mountains. In contemporary usage it also appears metaphorically (peaked interest, peaked performance).
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Help others use "peaked" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "peaked" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "peaked" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "peaked"
-ked sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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