What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
gape
Example
The audience gaped in amazement as the magician pulled a rabbit out of his hat. [gaped: verb]
Example
There was a gaping hole in the fence where the dog had dug under it. [gaping: adjective]
peer
Example
She peered through the window to see if anyone was home. [peered: verb]
Example
He was always compared to his peers in school. [peers: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Peer is more commonly used than gape in everyday language. Peer is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while gape is less common and has a more limited usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between gape and peer?
While peer can be used in both formal and informal contexts, gape is typically associated with a more informal and sometimes impolite tone.
