How to pronounce "pique" in EnglishVerb
piːk
PEEK
Primary stress: PEEK
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No video clips indexed yet for “pique”
We haven’t indexed spoken video clips for this word in our library yet. You can listen to its audio pronunciation, review phonetic IPA, and check definitions below.
Linguistic Pronunciation Masterclass: “pique”
Phonetic mechanics, syllable architecture, and conversational cadence
Syllable Architecture & Stress Distribution
PEEK
Tense long vowel with sustained acoustic resonance.
As a single-syllable word, "pique" receives full primary stress when spoken in isolation, though it may take a reduced weak form in connected speech when acting as a function word.
Common Pronunciation Traps & Learner Mistakes
The Trap: Single-syllable words like "pique" carry primary acoustic prominence in isolation, but can be swallowed in rapid connected speech.
How Native Speakers Say It: Sustain vowel clarity without rushing into the trailing consonant. Elevate pitch slightly when "pique" carries the primary contrast or new information in a sentence.
Connected Speech & Natural Conversational Flow
When followed by a vowel, insert a subtle glide (/w/ or /j/) to connect into the subsequent word without an abrupt glottal stop.
In natural sentences, avoid over-stressing "pique" unless it conveys the core contrast or focal point of your message.
Practice Speaking “pique”
Listen to native pronunciation, record yourself repeating the sentence into your microphone, and receive real-time word-by-word accuracy scoring.
The Dev'l was piqu'd, ſuch ſaintſhip to behold, / And long'd to tempt him like good Job of old: / But Satan now is wiſer than of yore, / And tempts by making rich, not making poor.
Hear it in context: “pique”
The English word “pique” is transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as piːk (phonetic respelling: PEEK). Phonologically, it consists of 1 syllable (PEEK), pronounced as a single stressed monosyllable. Grammatically, “pique” functions as a verb, noun and acts as an English heteronym where syllable stress shifts between noun (initial-syllable stress) and verb (second-syllable stress) usage. Hear native speakers say pique in context across real video clips
Definition & Meaning: “pique”
- To wound the pride of (someone); to excite to anger; to irritate, to offend.
- To excite (someone) to action, especially by causing jealousy, resentment, etc.; also, to stimulate (an emotion or feeling, especially curiosity or interest).
- Enmity, ill feeling; (countable) a feeling of animosity or a dispute.
- Irritation or resentment awakened by a social injury or slight; offence, especially taken in an emotional sense with little consideration or thought; (countable) especially in fit of pique: a transient feeling of wounded pride.
Example Sentences (2)
- “The Dev'l was piqu'd, ſuch ſaintſhip to behold, / And long'd to tempt him like good Job of old: / But Satan now is wiſer than of yore, / And tempts by making rich, not making poor.”
- “I believe this will pique your interest.”
Pronounce: “pique”
- Pronunciation:
- PEEK
- Syllables:
- PEEK
- Written Hyphenation:
- pique
- Primary stress:
- PEEK
- IPA:
- piːk
- Hear it in context
- pique
Synonyms: “pique”
Hear words related in meaning to “pique” in real video clips:
Words that Rhyme with “pique”
-ikWords that Sound Identical (Homophones)
piːk“pique” sounds 100% identical in standard English to “peak” and “peek”, but has a completely different spelling and meaning:
The pointed top of a mountain; highest level of achievement or intensity.
Look quickly or furtively, especially through a narrow opening.
Stimulate interest or curiosity; a feeling of irritation or resentment.
Frequently asked questions about pique
How do you pronounce “pique”?
“pique” is pronounced ⁄piːk⁄ (PEEK). Listen to the audio pronunciation above to hear it spoken clearly.
Where is the stress in “pique”?
The primary stress in “pique” is on “PEEK”.
What does “pique” mean?
To wound the pride of (someone); to excite to anger; to irritate, to offend.
What is the most common pronunciation mistake when saying “pique”?
Single-syllable words like "pique" carry primary acoustic prominence in isolation, but can be swallowed in rapid connected speech. Sustain vowel clarity without rushing into the trailing consonant. Elevate pitch slightly when "pique" carries the primary contrast or new information in a sentence.