peer
Peer (noun) means someone of the same rank, age, or status as another person. Example: “Teenagers often care deeply about what their peers think of them.”
How to Use Peer
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither someone equal in rank/age to you, or the act of looking hard at something unclear.
The "equal" sense and the "look closely" sense come from entirely different word histories, even though they're spelled the same.
Word Forms
peered past tense, peered past tense, peers plural, peers plural, peers plural, peers singular, peers singular
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
Teenagers often care deeply about what their _____ think of them.
Etymology
The "look closely" sense comes from Middle English peren, likely from Old English roots meaning "to look" or "to peer." The "equal/nobleman" sense comes separately from Latin par, "equal."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for peer
See all rhymes for peer →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “peer” mean?
The word “peer” means someone of the same rank, age, or status as another person. In plain terms, either someone equal in rank/age to you, or the act of looking hard at something unclear.
How do you pronounce “peer”?
“Peer” is pronounced peer (/pɪɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “peer” in a sentence?
Here is “peer” used in a sentence: “Teenagers often care deeply about what their peers think of them.”
What part of speech is “peer”?
Depending on how it is used, “peer” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “peer” come from?
The word “peer” comes from Latin. The "look closely" sense comes from Middle English peren, likely from Old English roots meaning "to look" or "to peer." The "equal/nobleman" sense comes separately from Latin par, "equal.".
Is “peer” a common word?
“Peer” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “peer” have?
“Peer” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: someone of the same rank, age, or status as another person.
What is the difference between peer and pier?
These are homophones that sound alike but mean different things. Peer means someone of the same rank, age, or status, or to look closely with difficulty, while a pier is a structure built out over water.
What is the difference between peer and peek?
To peer is to look closely or with difficulty, as if trying to see something unclear, often for a sustained moment. To peek is to take a quick, brief, and often secretive look, so peering suggests more effort and duration than peeking.
What is the difference between a peer and a colleague?
A peer is anyone of the same rank, age, or status as you, in any setting. A colleague specifically refers to someone you work with, so all colleagues can be peers, but peers are not limited to the workplace.