'Peer' is an equal or someone of the same rank, or to look closely with effort; 'pier' is a platform extending over water.
Noun/verb. A person of equal rank, age, or standing. In Britain: a member of the nobility. Also: to look with difficulty or concentrated effort.
The study was subject to peer review by three independent experts.
She peered through the window to see who was at the door.
His peers elected him as the representative for the student council.
Noun. A structure extending over water: a wharf, jetty, or boardwalk platform used for boats or strolling.
They watched the fishing boats return to the pier at sunset.
The old wooden pier was closed for safety repairs after the storm.
Children were jumping off the end of the pier into the sea below.
Common mistake
"Her pier group influenced her" when meaning people of equal standing (correct: peer group). Or "They walked to the end of the peer" when meaning the dock (correct: pier). 'Peer pressure', 'peer review', 'peer group' are fixed phrases.
Trick to remember it
'Peer' has EER like 'steer' (you steer among your peers — guidance from equals). 'Pier' has IER like 'tier' — a pier is a horizontal tier extending over water.
Quick rule
Is it the person of equal standing or the verb to look closely? 'Peer'. Is it the structure extending over water? 'Pier'.
Did you know?
'Peer review' — having other experts check your work before it is published — was formalised in academic publishing in the 1930s. In the UK, 'peers' (members of the House of Lords) were originally people literally equal to the monarch in power. Today they still sit in Parliament for life. Brighton Pier in England is one of the most visited attractions in the UK — a Victorian pleasure pier with funfair rides extending 524 metres over the sea. 'Pier' comes from Medieval Latin 'pera' (a stone column supporting a bridge arch).
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
The article must pass _____ review before it can be submitted for publication.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
The fishing boat was tied to the wooden _____ at the far end of the harbour.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Is it the person of equal standing or the verb to look closely? 'Peer'. Is it the structure extending over water? 'Pier'.
"Her pier group influenced her" when meaning people of equal standing (correct: peer group). Or "They walked to the end of the peer" when meaning the dock (correct: pier). 'Peer pressure', 'peer review', 'peer group' are fixed phrases.
'Peer' has EER like 'steer' (you steer among your peers — guidance from equals). 'Pier' has IER like 'tier' — a pier is a horizontal tier extending over water.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy