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Definition of 'peer'

Word Frequency

peer

(pɪəʳ )

Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular present tense peers , present participle peering , past tense, past participle peered

1. verb

If you peer at something, you look at it very hard, usually because it is difficult to see clearly.

I had been peering at a computer print-out that made no sense at all. [VERB preposition]

He watched the Customs official peer into the driver's window. [VERB preposition]

2. countable noun

In Britain, a peer is a member of the nobility who has or had the right to vote in the House of Lords.

Lord Swan was made a life peer in 1981.

Synonyms: noble, lord, count, duke More Synonyms of peer

3. countable noun [usually plural]

Your peers are the people who are the same age as you or who have the same status as you.

...children who are much cleverer than their peers.

His engaging personality made him popular with his peers.

Synonyms: equal, like, match, fellow [old-fashioned] More Synonyms of peer

More Synonyms of peer

COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers

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Word Frequency

peer in British English 1

(pɪə )

noun

1.

a member of a nobility; nobleman

2.

a person who holds any of the five grades of the British nobility: duke, marquess, earl, viscount, and baron

See also life peer

3.

a.

a person who is an equal in social standing, rank, age, etc

b.

(as modifier)

peer pressure

4. archaic

a companion; mate

Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers

Word origin

C14 (in sense 3): from Old French per, from Latin pār equal

Word Frequency

peer in British English 2

(pɪə )

verb (intransitive)

1.

to look intently with or as if with difficulty

to peer into the distance

2.

to appear partially or dimly

the sun peered through the fog

Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers

Word origin

C16: from Flemish pieren to look with narrowed eyes

Word Frequency

peer in American English 1

(pɪr )

noun

1.

a person or thing of the same rank, value, quality, ability, etc.; equal; specif., an equal before the law

2.

a noble; esp., a British duke, marquess, earl, viscount, or baron

verb transitive

3. Archaic

to match or equal

Idioms:

peer of the realm

Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.

Word origin

ME peir < OFr per < L par, an equal: see par1

Word Frequency

peer in American English 2

(pɪr )

verb intransitive

1.

to look closely and searchingly, or squint, as in trying to see more clearly

2.

to come out or show slightly; come partly into sight

3. OLD-FASHIONED, Poetic

to appear

Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.

Word origin

? aphetic < appear

Examples of 'peer' in a sentence
peer

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

The only pressure here is peer pressure, which works as a positive force.One of the Conservative hereditary peers seems to think so.She now sits as a crossbench peer in the House of Lords.It came during the bill's committee stage, an unusual time for peers to force votes. Steel shaded his eyes against the sunlight and peered into the distance.He is a life peer and should be in it till death.The crossbench peer said he hoped the courses would help to restore public trust in public life.You could see him peering back from first class.This is where peer pressure is so important.He had peered through the window and come into the bank.

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peer

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In other languages
peer

British English: peer VERB

If you peer at something, you look at it very hard, usually because it is difficult to see clearly.

I had been peering at a computer print-out that made no sense at all.

American English: peer
Brazilian Portuguese: examinar
Chinese: 费力地看
European Spanish: mirar detenidamente
French: scruter
German: starren
Italian: scrutare
Japanese: じっと見詰める
Korean: 뚫어지게 보다
European Portuguese: examinar
Latin American Spanish: mirar detenidamente

British English: peer NOUN

Your peers are the people who are the same age as you or who have the same status as you.

His engaging personality made him popular with his peers.

American English: peer
Brazilian Portuguese: colega
Chinese: 同侪
European Spanish: igual
French: pair
German: Gleichrangige
Italian: pari
Japanese: 仲間
Korean: 또래
European Portuguese: colega
Latin American Spanish: igual

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Nearby words of
peer

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peer

Source

Definition of peer from the Collins English Dictionary

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Question: 1

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Which version is correct?

The elicit trade was highlighted in an investigation last year. The illicit trade was highlighted in an investigation last year.

peak or peek?

Drag the correct answer into the box.

peak

peek

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Which version is correct?

I have a friend who has a flair for languages. I have a friend who has a flare for languages.

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Scrabble score
for 'peer':
6

Quick word challenge

Quiz Review

Question: 1

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Score: 0 / 5

whine or wine?

Which version is correct?

This is a really nice whine. This is a really nice wine.

die or dye?

Which version is correct?

My love for you will never die. My love for you will never dye.

pail or pale?

Which version is correct?

The morning sky was a very pail blue. The morning sky was a very pale blue.

retch or wretch?

Drag the correct answer into the box.

retch

wretch

The smell made me .

sole or soul?

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sole

soul

Their aim is to provide for their families.

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