definitions
  • synonyms

peer

1
[ peer ]
/ pɪər /
||
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noun

a person of the same legal status: a jury of one's peers.
a person who is equal to another in abilities, qualifications, age, background, and social status.
something of equal worth or quality: a sky-scraper without peer.
a nobleman.
a member of any of the five degrees of the nobility in Great Britain and Ireland (duke, marquis, earl, viscount, and baron).
Archaic. a companion.

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RELATED WORDS

rival, associate, stare, glare, gape, snoop, gawk, peep, squint, compeer, like, match, companion, spy, inspect, eye, look, pin, rubberneck, focus

Nearby words

peephole, peeping tom, peeps, peepshow, peepul, peer, peer group, peer gynt, peer of the realm, peer pressure, peer review

Origin of peer

1
1175–1225; Middle English per < Old French per < Latin pār equal

Definition for peer (2 of 2)

peer

2
[ peer ]
/ pɪər /

verb (used without object)

to look narrowly or searchingly, as in the effort to discern clearly.
to peep out or appear slightly.
to come into view.

Origin of peer

2
First recorded in 1585–95; perhaps aphetic variant of appear
SYNONYMS FOR peer
1 See peep1.
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR peer ON THESAURUS.COM
Related formspeer·ing·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for peer

British Dictionary definitions for peer (1 of 2)

peer

1
/ (pɪə) /

noun

a member of a nobility; nobleman
a person who holds any of the five grades of the British nobility: duke, marquess, earl, viscount, and baronSee also life peer
  1. a person who is an equal in social standing, rank, age, etc
  2. (as modifier)peer pressure
archaic a companion; mate

Word Origin for peer

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

British Dictionary definitions for peer (2 of 2)

peer

2
/ (pɪə) /

verb (intr)

to look intently with or as if with difficultyto peer into the distance
to appear partially or dimlythe sun peered through the fog

Word Origin for peer

C16: from Flemish pieren to look with narrowed eyes
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012