What does peakiest mean?
Peakiest is the superlative of peaky and means “having the most peak” or “having the sharpest peak.” It is most natural when two or more things are being compared, as in a description of a mountain, roof, cap, or other conspicuously pointed feature. The word is relatively uncommon, but it can be useful when a speaker wants to identify the most strongly peaked member of a group. Peaky also has a separate British and partly old-fashioned sense meaning sickly, weak, or emaciated; in that context, peakiest identifies the person who appears most unwell. These two senses are unrelated in their implications, despite sharing the same adjective. The geographical sense normally concerns a physical summit, while the figurative or historical sense concerns someone’s appearance. Because the superlative is not frequently encountered in ordinary speech, context is especially important in determining which meaning is intended.
Having the sharpest or most prominent peak.
"That is the peakiest of the surrounding peaks."
Usually used comparatively, and more often of mountains, roofs, caps, and other pointed forms than of people.
Extremely sickly, weak, or emaciated.
"The child had grown pale and peakiest."
Chiefly associated with British English and now somewhat old-fashioned.
“Peaky” can describe both the point of a cap and a person who looks ill—a small word with two very different associations.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of peakiest
Peaky was formed from peak by adding the adjectival suffix -y, and peakiest was created with the superlative suffix -iest. The base peak comes through Middle English from an Old English word denoting a pointed summit or high point. Its development also included use for pointed headgear and other features that project upward.
Related word forms
How peakiest is actually used
Peakiest is uncommon and normally appears in explicit comparisons. The sense meaning sickly or emaciated is especially associated with British English and may sound old-fashioned.
Easily confused with peakiest
Peakiest refers to something having the most prominent peak, whereas peekiest is the superlative of peeky, meaning the most furtive or sly.