per
pur
Per (prep) means For each; used to express a rate or ratio between two quantities. Example: “The car does about forty miles per gallon.”
prep
1
For each; used to express a rate or ratio between two quantities.
"The car does about forty miles per gallon."
"Tickets are priced at ten pounds per person."
"The machine produces about fifty bottles per minute when it runs smoothly."
2
In accordance with; as stated by.
"Per your instructions, I have cancelled the meeting."
"The refund was issued per company policy."
"As per the contract, payment is due within a month of delivery."
pron
1
A gender-neutral singular pronoun (they/them) used by some speakers instead of he or she.
"I asked Alex whether per bag was ready, and per said yes."
"The writer explained that per novel was inspired by per grandmother's stories."
"Per said per would rather not attend."
How to use per
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small connector word meaning "for each" (as in "per hour") or "according to" (as in "per your email").
Common mistake
In formal writing, "as per" is often criticised as redundant — "per your email" or "as you requested" are both cleaner than "as per your email".
Common pairings
per hour
per person
as per usual
per your request
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Word forms
- Adjective
- pers
- Noun form
- pers
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The car does about forty miles _____ gallon.
Etymology
From Latin per, meaning "through" or "by means of" — the same root that gives us "percent" (per + centum, "by the hundred").
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “per” mean?
The word “per” means for each; used to express a rate or ratio between two quantities. In plain terms, a small connector word meaning "for each" (as in "per hour") or "according to" (as in "per your email").
How do you pronounce “per”?
“Per” is pronounced pur (/pɝ/ in IPA).
How do you use “per” in a sentence?
Here is “per” used in a sentence: “The car does about forty miles per gallon.”
What is another word for “per”?
Words with a similar meaning to “per” include p, p., /, ⅌, an and a.
What part of speech is “per”?
Depending on how it is used, “per” can be a preposition and a pronoun.
Where does the word “per” come from?
The word “per” comes from Latin. From Latin per, meaning "through" or "by means of" — the same root that gives us "percent" (per + centum, "by the hundred").
Is “per” a common word?
“Per” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “per” have?
“Per” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: for each; used to express a rate or ratio between two quantities.
What does 'per' mean in phrases like 'miles per hour'?
In 'miles per hour,' 'per' means 'for each,' so it is the number of miles travelled for each single hour. It expresses a rate or ratio between two quantities. The same pattern appears in 'cost per unit,' 'words per minute,' and 'price per kilo,' always linking an amount to each unit of something.
What is the difference between 'per' and 'as per'?
'Per' expresses a rate, as in '£5 per ticket.' 'As per' is a separate phrase meaning 'in accordance with,' as in 'as per your request.' Although common in business writing, 'as per' is often seen as wordy, so plain 'per' or 'according to' is usually clearer.
Is it correct to say 'per each'?
No, 'per each' is redundant because 'per' already means 'for each.' Say '£2 per item' or '£2 each,' but not '£2 per each item.' Choose one word or the other. 'Per' suits rates and technical contexts, while 'each' feels more natural in everyday speech.
What is an example of 'per' in a sentence?
'The car travels sixty miles per gallon of fuel.' Here 'per' links two quantities, miles and gallons, to show a rate. Everyday examples include 'three meals per day,' 'twenty pounds per person,' and 'sixty seconds per minute,' each expressing how much of one thing matches each unit of another.
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