# peer

/ˈpɪɹ/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/peer
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. a social equal

noun · CEFR B2

someone who is the same age or has the same social position as you.

For teachers: a person who is of equal standing with another in a social, professional, or age-based context.

- Teenagers often feel a lot of pressure to fit in with their peers.
- The researcher's findings were met with skepticism by his peers in the scientific community until the results were replicated.

### 2. a noble

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a person who has a high social title, like a Duke or a Lord.

For teachers: a member of the nobility or aristocracy, particularly within the British peerage system.

- The king invited several peers of the realm to the royal banquet.
- As a hereditary peer, he held a seat in the upper house of parliament for several decades.

### 3. to look closely

verb · CEFR B2

to look very carefully or with difficulty at something.

For teachers: to look narrowly or searchingly, as in the effort to discern clearly.

- She had to peer through the fog to see the road signs.
- He peered over his spectacles at the fine print of the contract, searching for any hidden clauses.

Usage: often used with prepositions like 'at', 'through', or 'into'

### 4. network connection

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical

to connect two computer networks so they can exchange data directly.

For teachers: to link two internet service providers or networks for the mutual exchange of traffic, typically without settlement charges.

- The two internet companies decided to peer to improve speeds for their users.
- By choosing to peer at a major exchange point, the startup significantly reduced its transit costs and improved latency.

## Examples

- She is highly respected by her peers at work.
- Teenagers often feel a strong need to be accepted by their peers, which can influence the way they dress and speak.
- The research suggests that while parental guidance remains significant, the pressure to conform to peer expectations often dictates the social trajectory of early adolescence.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.