peer

peer about

to stare around; to look at everything about. She came into the room and peered about. Mary peered about, looking for a place to sit.

peer at someone or something

to look at someone or something closely; to stare at and examine someone or something. The child peered at me for a while in a strange way. The owl peered at the snake for a moment before grabbing it.

peer in(to something)

to stare into something; to look deep into something. I peered into the room, hoping to get a glimpse of the lovely furnishings. I only had time to peer in and then I walked on by.

peer out at someone or something

to stare out at someone or something. A little puppy peered out at them from the cage. When I looked under the box, Timmy peered out at me with a big smile.

See also: out

peer over something

to stare out or look over something, such as one's glasses. The old man peered over his glasses and looked off into the distance. She peered over the wall to see what she could see.

peer through something 

1. to view or look through glasses, spectacles, binoculars, etc. From the way she peered through her glasses at me, I knew I was in trouble. Claire stood on the balcony, peering through her binoculars.

2. to stare through a partial barrier, such as a window, drapes, the haze, the fog, etc. George peered through the drapes and spied on the party next door. Sally peered through the haze as best she could, trying to see if the way was clear.

See also: through

peer under something

to look underneath something. She peered under the bed, hoping to find her slippers. When she peered under the bed, she found nothing but lint.