Definition of 'pique'
Word forms: 3rd person singular present tense piques, present participle piquing, past tense, past participle piqued
1.
2. transitive verb
If something piques your interest or curiosity, it makes you interested or curious.
3. phrase
Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
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Word Frequency
pique in American English
Word Frequency
piqué in American English
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Word Frequency
pique in American English 1
(pik) (verb piqued, piquing)
transitive verb
1.
She was greatly piqued when they refused her invitation
2.
to wound (the pride, vanity, etc.)
3.
to excite (interest, curiosity, etc.)
Her curiosity was piqued by the gossip
5. archaic (usually fol. by on or upon)
to pride (oneself)
intransitive verb
6.
to arouse pique in someone
an action that piqued when it was meant to soothe
noun
SYNONYMS 1. offend, sting, nettle, vex, irritate, chafe. 2. affront. 3. stimulate, stir, prick, incite, goad.ANTONYMS 1. please. 2. compliment.Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019
by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Word Frequency
pique in American English 2
(pik)
noun
Piquet pic2
Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019
by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Word Frequency
pique in American English 3
(pɪˈkei, pi-)
noun or adjective
Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019
by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Word Frequency
piqué in American English
(pɪˈkei, pi-, French piˈkei) (noun plural for 2 -qués (-ˈkeiz, French -ˈkei))
noun
1.
a fabric of cotton, spun rayon, or silk, woven lengthwise with raised cords
adjective
Also: piqueMost material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019
by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Word Frequency
pique in British English 1
noun
1.
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word origin
C16: from French, from piquer to prick, sting; see pick1Word Frequency
pique in British English 2
noun
1.
a score of 30 points made by a player from a combination of cards held before play begins and from play while the opponent's score is nil
verb
2.
to score a pique (against)
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word origin
C17: from French pic, of uncertain origin
Examples of 'pique' in a sentence
pique
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Word lists with
pique
fabricQuick word challenge
Quiz Review
Question: 1
-
Score: 0 / 5
Which fabric am I?
an absorbent fabric, esp with a nap, used for making towels, bathrobes, etc
Which fabric am I?
a heavy cotton or linen fabric with a printed design, used for furnishing
Which fabric am I?
a rich strong silk fabric used for hangings, vestments, etc
Which fabric am I?
a stiff fabric, originally of horsehair and linen used in lining garments
Your score:
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Definition of pique from the Collins English Dictionary
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