What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
stare
Example
The teacher stared at the student who was misbehaving. [stared: past tense]
Example
She gave him a cold stare when he made the inappropriate comment. [stare: noun]
peer
Example
He peered through the window to see if anyone was home. [peered: past tense]
Example
She recognized her old friend from school by peering at his face. [peering: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Stare is more commonly used than peer in everyday language. Stare is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while peer is less common and often used in specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between stare and peer?
Both stare and peer can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, stare may be perceived as impolite or intrusive in certain situations, while peer is often associated with curiosity or interest.
