Peaked

In Southern and Appalachian speech, peaked means looking pale, weak, or run-down. It’s an old but familiar word of concern - often said gently, the way a mama or neighbor might notice you’re not yourself.

#SouthernWords #Appalachia #Southern #BodyandHealth

synonyms: puny, pale, sickly, poorly, run-down, wan, weak

Hillbilly Dude Says...

If somebody says, 'you're lookin’ a little peaked' - it's a gentler way of saying 'you as pale as a haint.' I've heard this one all my life.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

If somebody says, 'you're lookin’ a little peaked' - it's a gentler way of saying 'you as pale as a haint.' I've heard this one all my life.

Pronunciation

[PEE-kid or PIK-id]
/ˈpiː kɪd/ or /ˈpɪk ɪd/

Meaning & Usage

- Looking ill, tired, or drained (adjective)

Mae:

You been out in that sun too long - you’re lookin’ awful peaked.

Cliff:

Just need to sit a spell and drink some water.

- Appearing faded or weak (adjective, figurative)

Inez:

That garden’s lookin’ a little peaked - needs rain bad.

variations: peak-ed, peek-id, peaked (sickly)

★ If somebody tells you you’re lookin’ peaked, they’re not insultin’ you - they’re worried about you. Around here, that’s love disguised as fussin’. ★

Origin and Etymology

The word peaked in this sense goes back to at least the mid-1800s in American English, with strong roots in the South and Appalachian uplands. Linguists record it as a regional form meaning "pale or sickly." The pronunciation PEE-kid (two syllables) spread through rural speech, especially in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Texas, and has remained a mark of traditional Southern talk ever since.

Usage Notes

Still common among older speakers, "peaked" shows up in family concern and everyday storytelling.

You’re lookin’ peaked. - friendly concern.
He come in all peaked and white as chalk. - description of illness or exhaustion.
The corn’s peaked this year. - figurative use for weak growth or decline.

In most of the country the word has faded, but in the South and Appalachia it’s alive and well, carrying warmth and worry in equal measure.

Kin Topics

Common Questions

How do you pronounce "peaked"?

Two syllables - "PEE-kid" or "PIK-id," not "peeked."

Does it only describe people?

Mostly, but it can describe anything that looks weak, wilted, or worn down.

Is it still used today?

Yes, especially among older Southerners and mountain folks. You’ll still hear it at church, the feed store, or the kitchen table.

Is it an insult?

No - it’s an expression of care. When someone says you’re "lookin’ peaked," they’re worried, not criticizing.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, November 7). Peaked. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/peaked
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Peaked." HillbillySlang.com, 7 Nov. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/peaked.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Peaked." HillbillySlang.com. November 7, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/peaked.

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