peripheral
6 synonyms and 1 antonym for peripheral, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Located on the outer edge or boundary, rather than at the center.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use peripheral
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
peripheral vision
peripheral device
peripheral issue
Etymology
From periphery + -al, ultimately from Greek peripherēs ("carried around, revolving").
Full origin of peripheral →Frequently asked questions
What does “peripheral” mean?
The word “peripheral” means located on the outer edge or boundary, rather than at the center. In plain terms, on the edge rather than the center — literally (peripheral vision) or in importance (a peripheral concern), or a plug-in computer device.
How do you pronounce “peripheral”?
“Peripheral” is pronounced puh-RIHFRL (/pəˈɹɪf(ə)ɹ(ə)l/ in IPA).
How do you use “peripheral” in a sentence?
Here is “peripheral” used in a sentence: “She noticed movement in her peripheral vision.”
What is another word for “peripheral”?
Words with a similar meaning to “peripheral” include peripheral device.
What part of speech is “peripheral”?
Depending on how it is used, “peripheral” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “peripheral” come from?
The word “peripheral” comes from Greek. From periphery + -al, ultimately from Greek peripherēs ("carried around, revolving").
Is “peripheral” a common word?
“Peripheral” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “peripheral” have?
“Peripheral” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: located on the outer edge or boundary, rather than at the center.
What is the difference between peripheral and central?
Peripheral describes something located on the outer edge or boundary, or of minor importance, while central describes something at the core, both physically and in terms of significance.
What counts as a computer peripheral?
A computer peripheral is any device connected to a computer but not part of its core hardware, such as a printer, keyboard, mouse, or external hard drive.
