peripheral
/pəˈɹɪf(ə)ɹ(ə)l/
Group 12Difficulty 1/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Relating to or situated on the edge or periphery; of secondary importance GRE
Example in Context
The report's main findings were sound, but several peripheral claims lacked the evidentiary support needed to withstand scrutiny.
Synonyms
secondarymarginalouter
Etymology
Means 'carried around', indicating something on the edge or outskirts.
- peri- (Greek) — around
- pheral (Greek) — to carry
Memory Aid
🐒Sounds like “pair of ferals”
Picture a PAIR OF FERAL MONKEYS swinging around the edges of a party, making chaos but not the main event!
Visual Association
🌍A blurry image of a crowded city center, with a calm park on the very edge where no one goes.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “peripheral” mean on the GRE?
peripheral (adjective) means “Relating to or situated on the edge or periphery; of secondary importance”. The report's main findings were sound, but several peripheral claims lacked the evidentiary support needed to withstand scrutiny.
How to remember “peripheral” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “peripheral” sounds like “pair of ferals”. Picture a PAIR OF FERAL MONKEYS swinging around the edges of a party, making chaos but not the main event!
What are synonyms for “peripheral”?
Common synonyms: secondary, marginal, outer.