WordGarden.iopeer
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /pɪə/noun
US
- /ˈpɪr/
Meanings
Noun
a person of the same age, status, ability, or social standing as another
an equal participant in a computer network or distributed system
a member of the nobility, especially in the British peerage
Verb
to look closely or with difficulty, especially trying to see something
Beyond the definition
Think of your classmates or coworkers; they are your peers. A peer is someone on the same level as you in age, rank, or ability. You might ask your peers for advice, compare yourself with them, or work with them on a shared task. The word can also be a verb meaning to look closely or with effort, as when you peer through fog or peer at small print. In a more formal British sense, a peer can also be a member of the nobility.
The word "peer" has a fascinating duality. Most commonly, it refers to someone who is equal in status—a colleague, classmate, or friend of similar age and standing. We learn from our peers, compete with them, and often rely on their support. This is where the term "peer pressure" comes from, describing the influence of those around us, as well as the joy of collaborating with equals on a shared project.
In a more formal or British context, "peer" also refers to a member of the nobility, such as a duke, baron, or earl. These individuals hold a specific rank and privilege within society, and as a collective group, they are referred to as the "peerage." This is the same root used when someone is said to be judged by a "jury of their peers"—originally meaning a trial by people of the same legal rank.
As a verb, to peer means to look intently or with difficulty, often because something is obscured or tiny. You might peer through the morning fog or peer at the fine print on a contract.
Whether you are talking about friends on an equal footing, members of the aristocracy, or the act of looking closely at something hidden, "peer" encompasses both the state of equality and the act of intense observation. It is a word that reminds us to connect with those beside us and, at times, to strain our eyes to see what others might miss.
Examples
- 1
Children
Most children learn a lot from their peers.
- 2
Workplace peers
At work, she is respected by her peers.
- 3
Peer pressure
Teenagers often feel pressure from their peer group.
- 4
Academic review
The study went through peer review before it was published.
- Phrasepeer review
checking work by other experts in the same field
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Direct payments
The app lets users make peer-to-peer payments.
- Phrasepeer-to-peer
directly between people or computers, without a central middle point
- 6
Looking through
She peered through the window but could not see anyone inside.
- 7
Reading small text
He peered at the tiny label, trying to read the price.
- Patternpeer at + hard-to-see thing
look closely because it is hard to see
- 8
Looking inside
We peered into the dark room before stepping inside.
- Patternpeer into + place/space
look carefully inside it
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Do not confuse
Used with (collocations)
- peer group
- peer pressure
- peer review
- peer support
Explore
- social status
- cohort
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- peernounverb
Forms
- peerspluralnounverb
- peering-ing formverbnoun
- peeredpast tenseverbnoun