Pier and peer are homophones, meaning they sound alike but are spelled differently, and mean different things. They are also easily confused words. The spell-check application in word-processing software doesn’t catch words that are spelled correctly even if another word should have been used in that context.
The word peer originated from Middle English: from Old French peer, from Latin par ‘equal’. Peer also originated in late 16th century: perhaps a variant of dialect pire or perhaps partly from a shortening of appear. The word pier originated from Middle English: from medieval Latin pera, of unknown origin.
Peer as noun:
Peer as verb:
Faye peered at her with suspicion.
The towers peer over the roofs.
Pier as noun:
Pier is used as a noun in English language where it implies the meaning of a platform on pillars projecting from the shore into the sea, typically incorporating entertainment arcades and places to eat.
I left my boat tied up to the pier.
Who wins when a scary, but edge-pushing new climate study led by one of the world’s most prominent climate scientists makes headlines before it is either peer reviewed or published? (The New York Times)
Research suggests brain exercises which focus on self-control may enable youngsters to resist peer pressure – and stop them engaging in ‘risk-taking’ behaviours such as joining gangs, binge-drinking and taking drugs. (The Daily Mail)
Peer or pier:
Pier is a noun meaning referring to an elevated structure built out over the ocean. It’s used as a lookout point for people on a shoreline; it also refers to the supporting pillars of such a structure. Many US beaches have piers that have been cultural hotspots: Coney Island, NY, Folly Beach, SC, and Santa Monica, CA, just to name three. Peer is a noun meaning another person of your age group, school group, or fellow employee. It’s plural, peers, means many of the people in these groupings.
Standing under the pier, Delilah peered into an abandoned book she found on the beach. It belonged to someone named Jen Schuster. This was also the name of one of her peers growing up. Could they be the same person?