Peered
/pɪrd/
verbB1past tense
Definition
To peer means to look with attention and effort, usually because something is small, far away, or not clear. When you peer, you try to see details carefully, often by looking closely or through difficulty like darkness or distance.
Was this helpful?
See It in Action
To look closely or carefully at something that is hard to see
- •She peered through the fog to find the path.
- •He peered into the dark room before entering.
- •The child peered over the fence to see the animals.
To look with difficulty, often because of poor light or distance
- •We peered at the stars through the night sky.
- •They peered through the window to see who was outside.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of 'peer' like 'look' (A1 word), but with more effort and attention—like trying hard to see something unclear
- ✓Picture someone squinting their eyes or moving closer to see a small object or something far away
- ✓It's the feeling when you try to see in the dark or look through a foggy window
- ✓Sounds like 'peer' → imagine two eyes looking closely, like two friends (peers) watching something carefully together
- ✓Think of a detective peering through a magnifying glass to find clues
- ✓NOT like 'glance' (quick, casual look) but 'peer' is slow, careful, and focused
- ✓NOT like 'stare' (long, fixed look without effort) but 'peer' involves trying to see details or understand better
Try Other Words
- •Glanced: to look quickly (Use when the look is fast and casual, not careful)
- •Stared: to look fixedly for a long time (Use when the look is steady but not necessarily careful)
- •Examined: to look at something very carefully, often to understand it (Use when you want to show detailed study, more than just seeing)
- •Gazed: to look steadily and with wonder or interest (Use when the look is calm and long, often with emotion)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: base word "peer" + "-ed" (past tense suffix)
- •Etymology: From Middle English "peren," from Old English "peerian," meaning to look closely or search
- •Historical development: The word has been used since the 14th century to describe careful looking or searching with the eyes
- •Modern usage: Used to describe careful or difficult looking, often in stories or descriptions of sight under hard conditions
Reflect & Connect
•When have you peered at something because it was hard to see? How did you feel?
•How does peering change the way we understand or notice small details around us?
Fill in the blanks
1.She peered ___ the window because it was too dark to see clearly.
2.When the sun was bright, he peered ___ the shadows to find the hidden object.
3.Unlike a quick glance, peered means to look ___ and with effort.
4.The detective peered ___ the magnifying glass to find small clues.
5.They peered ___ the distance, trying to see if anyone was coming.
6.You usually peer ___ something when it is hard to see or ___.
7.After peering carefully, she finally ___ the small writing on the label.