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to peer

to peer

149 4.1
To look closely at something that is hard to see
  • verb
  • /pɪr/
translation icon : mirar fijamente
  • I had to peer closely at the painting to see the intricate details.
  • peer intently
  • peer through a telescope
  • eyes peering

To confront a limit and transcend it, To glimpse truth and to peer beyond to the next question.

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Examples

  • She peered into the dimly lit room, searching for any signs of movement.

  • As the fog thickened, we had to peer through it to find our way.

  • And I peer out the window.

  • I closed my eyes and tried to peer into the fixture.

  • Intelligent brown eyes peer out from a face that seems younger than his 40 years.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Now we are peering through, seeing a world inside our world.

  • Someone or something was peering through my window.

  • I peer through into the gloom.

  • Emma suddenly went up on tiptoes, peering over the heads of the men.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • I saw him peer through the barn door, and he saw Poe and McKinney on the porch there.

Synonyms

to take a look
vsto peer
1.3

To look at something to check it or find information

is used specifically when sight is strained to make out details
to consider
vsto peer
670 2.4

To look at someone or something carefully to understand it

is used for straining sight to see details rather than for thought
to have a look
vsto peer
412 1.3

To check something carefully, for example an essay or a machine

is used when poor visibility makes seeing harder than usual
to view
vsto peer
357 1.0

To look at something carefully

is used when seeing is difficult rather than for ordinary observation
to regard
vsto peer
241 3.2

To look at someone or something carefully

is used when vision is difficult and sight requires extra effort
to look through
vsto peer
180 2.8

To read or check something carefully for mistakes

is used when visual clarity is the issue rather than text review
to pore over
vsto peer
28 5.5

To study things like books or papers carefully to find information

is used for close watching when visibility is poor, not only for reading
to eyeball
vsto peer
  • Informal
23 3.6

To look at someone or something closely and directly

is used when effortful sight is needed rather than for bold inspection

Antonyms

1.0

Choose not to pay attention to someone or something

Compounds

to peer review
  • Specialized
43 4.2

To have other experts in the same field check a colleague's work for quality

9 3.2

A group of people of similar age or background who influence each other

peer-to-peer
  • Specialized
5 4.4

A way for people or computers to connect and share directly without a central server

1 7.9

A person given a title for life who sits in the House of Lords and whose title ends at death

A British noble who can sit in the House of Lords

How Closely

to scrutinize
  • US
70 6.2
to peer
149 4.1
to inspect
202 2.5

Surface Forms

peer infinitive
peered past
peered past participle
peering present participle
peers third person singular

Etymology

Peer as a verb (to look closely) probably comes from old words meaning 'to look', but a helpful way to remember it is to imagine leaning forward to study something carefully, which is why to peer means to look closely.