verb
pierce
peers
verb
1
To make a hole through something, usually with something sharp.
"The needle pierced her skin for the earring."
"The arrow pierced the target dead centre."
2
To affect someone deeply or reach the heart of a matter.
"His words pierced her heart."
How to Use Pierce
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo puncture something, or to affect someone very deeply.
Common pairings
pierce the skin
pierce the silence
pierce your ears
Word Forms
pierced past tense, pierces plural, pierces singular
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The needle _____ her skin for the earring.
Etymology
From Old French percier, likely from a Latin root meaning "to thrust or bore through".