peter Definition
- 1a male given name, derived from the Greek name Petros, meaning 'stone' or 'rock'
- 2to decrease or fade gradually before coming to an end
Using peter: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "peter" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
Peter is a common name in many countries.
Example
The company's profits began to peter out after several years of growth.
Example
The music festival petered out as the night went on.
peter Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with peter
Example
He still lives with his parents and spends all his money on video games. He definitely has Peter Pan syndrome.
the idea that people are promoted to their level of incompetence, meaning they are no longer qualified for their job
Example
He was great at his old job, but since he got promoted, he's been struggling. It's like he's hit the Peter principle.
Example
The party started off strong, but it petered out around midnight.
Origins of peter
from Late Latin 'petrus', from Greek 'petros', meaning 'stone'
Summary: peter in Brief
The term 'Peter' [ˈpiːtər] can refer to a male given name, derived from the Greek name Petros, meaning 'stone' or 'rock'. It can also be used as a verb to describe something decreasing or fading gradually before coming to an end, as in 'The company's profits began to peter out after several years of growth.' Phrases include 'Peter Pan syndrome,' describing an inability or unwillingness to grow up, and 'peter principle,' referring to the idea that people are promoted to their level of incompetence.
