peekaboo

• peek-a-boo

From peek +‎ -a- +‎ boo.

peekaboo (uncountable)

1. (games) A game for a small child in which one covers one's face, then suddenly reveals it, saying "Boo!" or "Peekaboo!".

   Synonym: peepbo

peekaboo (not comparable)

1. (of clothing) With holes, slits or transparent fabric to reveal what is normally hidden.

   The model was wearing a peekaboo swimsuit.

2. (boxing) Being or using a style of boxing with the hands kept close to the face to defend it.

   peekaboo boxing

   a peekaboo guard

• 2011 January 13, Phil Vettel, “Chef of the Year: Anthomy Martin”, in Chicago Tribune, 164th year, number 13, section 5, page 4:

  Precise herbed-lamb packets amid art nouveau swirls of asparagus noodles, a lacy tuile that adds a peekaboo seductivity to potato gnocchi — [Anthony] Martin’s presentations are bold and beautiful, yet his flavor pairings are almost maddeningly subtle, driving overanalytical foodies to despair.

peekaboo (third-person singular simple present peekaboos, present participle peekabooing, simple past and past participle peekabooed)

1. (intransitive) To peep out.
   • 2013, Stan Timmons, Ammon's Horn:

     A spike of white bone peekabooed through the flesh of his wrist and blood spurted.

   • 2013, Marianne Harden, Malicious Mischief:

     “Mount Rainier has escaped the clouds.” I turned to the volcano peekabooing through the trees in the distance.

peekaboo

1. Boo (when showing oneself unexpectedly).

   Synonyms: peep bo, peep-bo, peepbo, peepo