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peripheral

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /pəˈrɪfərəl/

peripheral means: At or near the outer edge of an area or object.

adjective

OUTER EDGEC1

At or near the outer edge of an area or object.

  • Movement caught my peripheral vision.
  • The peripheral areas of the city lack buses.
  • These villages occupy peripheral positions in the region.

Similar words: outer, outlying

Opposites: central

Common phrases: peripheral vision, peripheral areas, peripheral regions

LESS IMPORTANTC1

Having little importance compared with the main things involved.

  • Cost was a peripheral concern.
  • He played a peripheral role in the project.
  • We can discuss the peripheral details later.

Similar words: minor, secondary, unimportant

Opposites: important, central

Common phrases: peripheral role, peripheral detail, peripheral importance

BESIDE THE POINTC1

Only loosely connected to the main subject being discussed.

  • That question is peripheral to our discussion.
  • They raised several peripheral issues during the debate.
  • Her comments seemed peripheral to the argument.

How to use it: peripheral to something (The cost is peripheral to this discussion.)

Similar words: incidental, tangential

Opposites: relevant

Common phrases: peripheral to something, peripheral issue, peripheral concern

SUPPORTING EQUIPMENTC1

Providing extra support or functions for a main machine or system.

  • The printer is a peripheral device.
  • They replaced the peripheral equipment first.
  • Peripheral hardware gives the system extra functions.

Similar words: auxiliary, supporting

Common phrases: peripheral equipment, peripheral device, peripheral hardware

BODY NERVESC1

Relating to the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.

  • The injury damaged a peripheral nerve.
  • Peripheral nerves carry signals to the muscles.
  • The test checks for peripheral nerve damage.

Common phrases: peripheral nerves, peripheral nervous system, peripheral nerve damage

noun

COMPUTER DEVICEB2

A device connected to a computer to provide extra functions, such as printing.

  • A printer is a computer peripheral.
  • I connected two new peripherals yesterday.
  • Does this peripheral need its own power supply?

Similar words: peripheral device

Common phrases: computer peripheral, connect a peripheral, external peripheral

Questions about peripheral

What does peripheral mean?

At or near the outer edge of an area or object.

What is peripheral in other languages?

Türkçe: çevresel · Español: periférico · Français: périphérique · Deutsch: peripher · Italiano: periferico · 日本語: 周辺の

How do you pronounce peripheral?

It is pronounced /pəˈrɪfərəl/.

How do you use peripheral in a sentence?

Movement caught my peripheral vision. The peripheral areas of the city lack buses.

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