peer
peer
Peer (noun) means someone of the same rank, age, or status as another person. Example: “Children learn a lot from playing with their peers at school.”
noun
1
Someone of the same rank, age, or status as another person.
"Children learn a lot from playing with their peers at school."
"She was the youngest on the team, but her peers treated her as an equal."
"Teenagers often care deeply about what their peers think of them."
2
A member of the nobility holding a title such as duke, earl, or baron.
"The old peer lived in a castle that had belonged to his family for centuries."
"When the baron died, his son became a peer and took his seat."
"As a peer of the realm, he was entitled to sit in the House of Lords."
verb
1
To look closely or with difficulty, as if trying to see something unclear.
"He peered at the small print on the label, wishing he had brought his glasses."
"The children peered through the foggy window to see who had arrived."
"She peered into the dark room, unable to find the light switch."
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.
Common mistake
The "equal" sense and the "look closely" sense come from entirely different word histories, even though they're spelled the same.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
peer pressure
peer into the distance
peer group
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Word forms
- Plural
- peers
- Third person singular
- peers
- Past tense
- peered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Children learn a lot from playing with their _____ at school.
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
View more →Antonyms
Related words
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.
