peer

1 of 3

noun

ˈpir 

1

: one that is of equal standing with another : equal

The band mates welcomed the new member as a peer.

especially : one belonging to the same societal group especially based on age, grade, or status

teenagers spending time with their peers

2

a

: a member of one of the five ranks (duke, marquess, earl, viscount, or baron) of the British peerage

b

: noble sense 1

Peers and commoners alike were shown the same courtesy.

3

archaic : companion

peer adjective

peer

2 of 3

verb (1)

peered; peering; peers

intransitive verb

1

: to look narrowly or curiously

a child peering from behind a tree

especially : to look searchingly at something difficult to discern

She peered into the dark closet looking for her missing shoe.

2

: to come slightly into view : emerge partly

… a vast white cloud, through which the sun peered …

—Francis Kingdon-Ward

peer

3 of 3

verb (2)

peered; peering; peers

transitive verb

archaic

: rival, match

Synonyms of peer

Noun

• nobleman
• gentleman

Verb (1)

• gaze
• stare
• gawk

Examples of peer in a Sentence

Noun

He was respected and admired by his peers.

teenagers spending time with their peer groups

Verb (1)

visitors seem mesmerized as they peer at the variety of marine life in the aquarium's huge tank

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

As so many of his peers have run from that reality, Self is embracing the challenge, with precisely nothing left to prove. —Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 2 Apr. 2026

Studies have found that embarrassment around menstruation remains common, with many girls reporting anxiety about leaks, staining or being noticed by peers. —Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026

Verb

The astronauts will take turns peering through Orion’s windows with cameras. —Marcia Dunn, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026

The blank walls stared at her, vacant pinholes made by previous tenants peering down like dark, shrunken pupils. —Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French per, from per, adjective, equal, from Latin par

Verb (1)

perhaps by shortening & alteration from appear

Verb (2)

Middle English peren, peeren "be the equal of, be comparable to," derivative of per peer entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (1)

1580, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1614, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing peer

• life peer
• peer pressure
• peer review
• peer-to-peer

Rhymes for peer

• beer
• bier
• cheer
• clear
• dear
• deer
• drear
• ear
• fear
• fier
• gear
• hear

Kids Definition

peer

1 of 2 noun

ˈpi(ə)r 

1

: a person of the same rank or class as another

2

a

: a member of one of the five ranks of the British nobility

b

: noble entry 2

peer

2 of 2 verb

1

: to look closely or curiously

peered into the dark closet

2

: peep entry 3 sense 2

Etymology

Noun

Middle English peer "one on equal standing with another," derived from early French per (adjective) "equal," from Latin par "equal" — related to compare, pair, par, umpire see Word History at umpire

Verb

perhaps an altered and shortened form of appear