Pique (pronounced /piːk/ in most contexts) is a noun meaning a feeling of irritation or resentment, often arising from a slight or perceived insult. It can also refer to a state of curiosity or a sharp, pointed quality. In formal writing it may imply a sense of offended dignity, while in casual speech it commonly signals pique to be provoked or curious. The term is frequently encountered in literature and conversation about social sentiment.
- US: /ˈpiːk/ with a non-rhotic ending; keep the vowel tense and open; minimal rounding. - UK: /ˈpiːk/ as well; maintain a slightly more forward tongue posture in some regions; subtle differences in co-articulation with neighboring sounds. - AU: /ˈpiːk/ similar to US/UK; watch for vowel length variability in connected speech and ensure the /k/ is crisp even in rapid speech. - IPA references: /piːk/ for all major varieties mentioned. - Tips: practice with a mirror, maintain jaw relaxation, and avoid adding extra vowels; use minimal pairs like ‘peek’ /piːk/ to train the correct vowel quality in connected speech.
"- His pique over the minor rebuke faded after a quiet apology."
"- The journalist’s pique about the edit sparked a constructive, if heated, discussion."
"- Her pique was evident in the curt reply she gave to the question."
"- He spoke with pique, yet his detective-like curiosity remained intact."
Pique comes from Middle French piquer, meaning ‘to prick, stab, sting,’ and from the Old French pique meaning ‘a spike, stake, or sting.’ The English adoption dates to the 16th century, retaining senses of pricking or provoking emotion. In English, piqué also acquired a specialized sense related to a feeling of wounded pride or irritability when served by a slight or insult, and later broadened to include a sharpened curiosity or interest (as in “piqued by a question”). The term’s pronunciation in English has long been guided by the spelling pi-que, but the final -e is typically silent in modern usage. First known uses include literary contexts in Early Modern English where characters described others as “in a pique” to denote moodiness or irritation, and over time the noun settled into common usage across formal and informal registers.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Pique" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Pique" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Pique" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "Pique"
-que sounds
-eek sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
Pronounce it as /piːk/ (like ‘peek’). The word is one syllable with long E vowel. Start with a high front unrounded vowel, raise the tongue toward the roof of your mouth, then end with a voiceless velar plosive /k/. Listen for the clear, tight vowel and short k release after the /iː/.
Common errors include turning it into /pɪk/ with a short ‘i’ as in ‘pick,’ or inserting a schwa before the final /k/ as in /pikə/. Another misstep is adding an extra syllable due to English readers’ tendency to over-enunciate; keep it monosyllabic. Focus on a crisp /iː/ and a clean /k/—no vowel breaks between them.
In US/UK/AU, the pronunciation remains /piːk/ for the noun meaning pique. The key variation is rhoticity in surrounding speech, not the word itself; you’ll hear similar vowel quality but with slightly more rounded or tense vowel in some UK dialects depending on vowel reduction.
The challenge is the settled long /iː/ followed immediately by a final /k/ without a trailing vowel or glide. For some learners, the issue is maintaining a tight vowel sound before the abrupt /k/ release. Strive for a compact, clean transition: /iː/ directly into /k/.
The final /e/ in spelling does not indicate a separate vowel sound in modern English; it’s silent. The pronunciation relies on the /piːk/ sequence where the ‘e’ is not pronounced, so focus purely on the /iː/ and /k/.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "Pique"!
- Shadowing: listen to a native speaker reading sentences containing ‘pique,’ then imitate in real time; focus on a single-syllable /piːk/ and fast, clean /k/ release. - Minimal pairs: compare /piːk/ with /pik/ (pikk) or /peek/ and /peak/ to fix vowel leading to the /iː/ and the final stop. - Rhythm practice: keep a steady beat; aim for a single strong syllable without elongating the vowel. - Stress practice: as a noun, it’s typically unstressed within a sentence, but the word itself carries primary vowel emphasis; when used as a verb phrase, adjust accordingly. - Recording and playback: record yourself saying a sentence like “Her pique was evident in the reply,” and compare intonation and vowel quality to a native source. - Context practice: include this word in quick, business-like sentences to practice crisp, precise pronunciation.
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