# peter

/ˈpitɝ/ (US) · /pˈiːtɐ/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. to fade or dwindle

verb · CEFR B2

to gradually become smaller, weaker, or stop completely.

For teachers: to diminish gradually and then cease; almost exclusively used as the phrasal verb 'peter out'.

- The rain started to peter out just as we reached the house.
- The protest began with great energy, but interest seemed to peter out as the afternoon heat became unbearable.

Usage: Intransitive; almost always followed by the particle 'out'.

### 2. a male name

noun · CEFR A1

a common name for a man.

For teachers: a male given name of Greek origin, meaning 'rock'.

- My friend Peter is coming over for dinner tonight.
- The Gospel of Matthew records the moment when Simon was given the name Peter, symbolizing his role as a foundational figure.

### 3. a safe

noun · CEFR C2 · British English · Slang

a strong metal box used for keeping money or jewelry safe.

For teachers: a safe or strongbox used for the storage of valuables.

- The thieves spent hours trying to crack the peter in the back room.
- Old underworld accounts often describe the specialized tools required to blow a peter without alerting the night watchman.

### 4. a prison cell

noun · CEFR C2 · British English · Slang

a small room in a prison where a criminal is kept.

For teachers: a prison cell or a place of confinement.

- He spent three nights in the peter before his lawyer arrived.
- The inmate complained that the peter was damp and lacked sufficient ventilation during the winter months.

## Examples

- Peter is my brother's name.
- The manager asked Peter to lead the meeting because he had the most experience with the new software.
- While the name Peter has remained a staple in English-speaking countries for centuries, its popularity often fluctuates based on cultural trends and the influence of prominent public figures.

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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.