peer

/pɪr/
nounIntermediate
formal

A person who is equal in age, status, or ability to another.

She was elected as the peer of the year for her outstanding contributions.

Her peers recognized her as a role model in the community.

💡

Often used in formal or professional contexts to describe someone of equal standing.

informal

A person who is a member of the same group or community, especially in terms of shared interests or experiences.

He found it easy to connect with his peers at the conference.

He felt comfortable discussing ideas with people who shared his professional background.

💡

Commonly used in social or educational settings.

technical

A person who reviews or evaluates the work of others in a professional or academic setting.

The research paper was sent to three peers for review.

The journal required peer review to ensure the quality of the published work.

💡

In academia, 'peer' often refers to someone who evaluates the work of others in the same field.

Collocations

peer pressureThe influence exerted by a peer group, encouraging individuals to change their attitudes, values, or behaviors to conform to group norms.peer reviewThe evaluation of work by one or more people with similar competencies as the producers of the work.peer groupA group of people who share similar characteristics, such as age, social status, or interests.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

peer pressurephrase
Social influence exerted by members of one's peer group.
peer reviewphrase
The evaluation of work by others in the same field.
peer groupphrase
A group of people who share similar characteristics.

💡Pro Tip

Formal vs. Informal Usage

In formal contexts, 'peer' often refers to someone of equal status or rank, while in informal contexts, it may refer to someone of similar age or background.

Gold Rule

Avoid Misuse

Do not use 'peer' to refer to someone who is not of equal standing or age, as this can be misleading.

📖Word Origin

From Middle English 'pere,' meaning 'equal in age or rank,' derived from Old French 'per,' from Latin 'par,' meaning 'equal.'

📝Usage Notes

The term 'peer' is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. In professional settings, it often refers to someone of equal standing, while in social contexts, it may refer to someone of similar age or background.

Word Breakdown

peer
equal in age, status, or ability
root
English Dictionary