Definition of 'peer'
Word forms: peers, peering, peered
1. intransitive verb
2. countable noun
Your peers are the people who are the same age as you or who have the same status as you.
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Video: pronunciation of
peer
Word Frequency
peer in American English 1
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
Idioms:
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Word Frequency
peer in American English 2
verb intransitive
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 <
appearWord Frequency
peer in British English 1
noun
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
verb (intransitive)
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word origin
C16: from Flemish pieren to look with narrowed eyes
Examples of 'peer' in a sentence
peer
These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content.
Read more…
Trends of
peer
View usage over:
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.
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.
Nearby words of
peer
Related terms of
peer
Source
Definition of peer from the
Collins English Dictionary
Quick word challenge
Quiz Review
Question: 1
-
Score: 0 / 5
soar or sore?
Which version is correct?
steal or steel?
Which version is correct?
cannon or canon?
Which version is correct?
ewe or yew?
Which version is correct?
conker or conquer?
Which version is correct?
Your score:
Word of the day
ratatouille
Ratatouille is a cooked dish made with vegetables such as tomatoes, onions , aubergines, courgettes, and peppers.
Latest Word Submissions
From glamping to drivecations: the search for the best staycation
Riddle: When is a staycation not a staycation?
To me it seems like centuries ago that we Brits first cottoned on to that handy word staycation. I’d place it at about 15 years ago – which at today’s speed of change feels more like 150.
Read more
Study guides for every stage of your learning journey
Whether you're in search of a crossword puzzle, a detailed guide to tying knots, or tips on writing the perfect college essay, Harper Reference has you covered for all your study needs.
Read more
Anticipation and rain check are among the most frequently looked-up words in July
Perhaps the most striking thing about the list of words that people have looked up in the Collins Dictionary in July is that it no longer contains a lot of words that were being looked up earlier in the year.
Read more
Collins English Dictionary Apps
Download our English Dictionary apps - available for both iOS and Android.
Read more
Collins Dictionaries for Schools
Our new online dictionaries for schools provide a safe and appropriate environment for children. And best of all it's ad free, so sign up now and start using at home or in the classroom.
Read more
Word lists
We have almost 200 lists of words from topics as varied as types of butterflies, jackets, currencies, vegetables and knots!
Amaze your friends with your new-found knowledge!
Read more
Join the Collins community
All the latest wordy news, linguistic insights, offers and competitions every month.
Read more
Updating our Usage
There are many diverse influences on the way that English is used across the world today. We look at some of the ways in which the language is changing. Read our series of blogs to find out more.
Read more
Area 51, Starship, and Harvest Moon: September’s Words in the News
I’m sure a lot of people would agree that we live in strange times. But do they have to be so strange that Area 51 is making headlines? And what’s this about fish the look like aliens. September’s Words in the News explain all.
Read more
Quick word challenge
Quiz Review
Question: 1
-
Score: 0 / 5
alone or lonely?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
lonely
alone
He was a little boy.
great or large?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
great
large
Many species are in danger.
blame or fault?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
fault
blame
This was all Jack's .
assignment or homework?
Which version is correct?
comprehensible or comprehensive?
Which version is correct?
Your score: