peri-

per·i-
UK/ˌpɛɹ.ə-/UK/ˌpeɹ.ə-/Scotland/ˌpɛɹ.ʌ-/India/ˌpɛ(ː)ɾ.i-/

prefix

surrounding

“peri- + meter → perimeter”

Similar
circum-para-intra-mid-
Opposite
disto-
OriginAncient Greek περῐ́ (perĭ́) ← Proto-Indo-European *per- →
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Meanings

prefix
  1. surrounding

    peri- + meter → perimeter

    Synonyms: circum-, para-

  2. near

    peri- + helion → perihelion

    Synonyms: para- · Antonyms: disto-

  3. during

    peri- + natal → perinatal

    Synonyms: intra-, mid-

Synonyms & antonyms

prefixsurrounding

Similar
circum-para-

prefixnear

Similar
para-
Opposite
disto-

prefixduring

Similar
intra-mid-
Also see
circum-intra-mid-para-

Origin

  1. Proto-Indo-European*per-
  2. Ancient Greekπερῐ́ (perĭ́)
  3. Englishperi-

From Ancient Greek περί (perí, “about, around”). Cognate to for via Proto-Indo-European.

More words from Ancient Greek

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

peri-. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/peri-

MLA

“peri-.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/peri-. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “peri-,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/peri-.

Source: peri- on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.