English Reference
noun

pete

n.
US /ˈpit/ pe·te UK spelling Petes

  1. 01 A1 Beginner Informal

    A short or friendly way to say the name Peter.

    A diminutive or hypocoristic form of the male given name Peter.

    Simple

    Everyone in the office calls him Pete instead of Peter.

    In context

    The document was signed by a man named Pete, though his legal identification listed him as Peter Harrison.

  2. 02 C2 Proficiency American EnglishSlang

    A slang name for a Peterbilt truck, which is a famous brand of large American trucks.

    A colloquial abbreviation for a Peterbilt truck, a prominent American brand of medium- and heavy-duty trucks.

    Simple

    The driver spent all weekend cleaning his Pete before the long cross-country trip.

    In context

    He had been driving a Pete for twenty years and refused to switch to any other brand of semi-trailer truck.

    Usage

    Commonly used among truck drivers and enthusiasts in North America.

    peterbiltsemirig
This entry
Level C2 · Proficiency
Frequency Common
Updated