peer

¹

[peer]

verb (used without object)

1. to look narrowly or searchingly, as in the effort to discern clearly.

2. to peep out or appear slightly.

3. to come into view.

peer

²

[peer]

noun

1. a person of the same legal status.

   a jury of one's peers.

2. a person who is equal to another in abilities, qualifications, age, background, and social status.

3. something of equal worth or quality.

   a skyscraper without peer.

4. a nobleman.

5. a member of any of the five degrees of the nobility in Great Britain and Ireland (duke, marquis, earl, viscount, and baron).

6. Computers.

   1. a network connected to one or more other networks in a way that routes traffic independently between them in a direct exchange of data.

   2. a computer or device that is connected to others in a network, either directly or through a server.

7. Archaic.,  a companion.

verb (used without object)

1. Computers.,  (of a network) to be connected with one or more other networks in a way that routes traffic independently between them in a direct exchange of data (usually followed bywith ).

peer

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

   2. ( as modifier )

      peer pressure

4. archaic,  a companion; mate

peer

²

/ pɪə /

verb

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of peer¹

First recorded in 1560–70; perhaps a variant of appear

Origin of peer²

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English per, from Old French per, from Latin pār “equal, an equal, partner”

Word History and Origins

Origin of peer¹

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

Origin of peer²

C16: from Flemish pieren to look with narrowed eyes

Synonym Study

See peep ¹.

Example Sentences

He acknowledges that shares in Australia’s largest bank have significantly underperformed relative to peers over 2025, but expects this to continue.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He tells clients in a note that MAM’s A$5.20-a-share proposal, which implies an enterprise value for Qube of about A$11.6 billion, implies premium valuation multiples relative to sector peers.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Rated two notches above speculative-grade territory, Oracle’s bonds now carry yields that are higher than those of almost any of its investment-grade tech peers.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But the peer's intervention comes days after a major prostate cancer screening trial began in the country.

Read more on BBC

The Centre for Cities briefing also concluded that "London is unlikely to see a significant drop in visitors if it introduces a levy at a rate comparable to peer primary cities".

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• gape 
• gawk 
• give the eagle eye www.thesaurus.com
• glare 
• peep 
• snoop 
• squint 
• stare