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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Periphery Definition, Examples & Usage Guide (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：outer edge (periphery)

periphery 🔊

/pəˈrɪfəri/

The outermost edge or boundary of an area or object.

City periphery at dusk showing dense center and sprawling edge

outer edge 🔊

➕

/ˈaʊtər ɛdʒ/

The outer boundary or margin that marks the limit of an area or object, often contrasting with the center.

📁 Category：Natural Geography 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Greek 'periphereia' (peri- 'around' + pherein 'to carry'), meaning 'circumference' or 'outer boundary'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'peri' (as in perimeter) + 'phony'? No, 'phery' sounds like 'ferry' – the ferry runs along the outer edge of the island.

📖 Example

From the top floor, you can see the old houses on the periphery of the downtown area. 🔊 From the top floor, you can see the old houses on the outer edge of the downtown area.

🔗 Collocations

on the periphery of – situated at the outer edge of something

periphery region – a less central area, often rural or suburban

extend to the periphery – to reach the outermost parts

🔄 Synonyms

rim (n.) – the outer edge of something circular or curved

outskirts (n. pl.) – the outer parts of a town or city, away from the center

border (n.) – the line separating two areas, often political or geographical

🚫 Antonyms

center (n.) – the middle point or part of an area

core (n.) – the central or most important part

interior (n.) – the inner part, away from the edge

🌱 Derivatives

peripheral (adj.) – relating to the periphery; of secondary importance

peripherally (adv.) – in a way that is related to the periphery

peripheralism (n.) – a focus on peripheral matters (rare)

📖 Cultural Story

The term entered English in the 16th century via Latin, originally used in geometry to describe a circle's circumference. Today it is widely used in geography, anatomy, and business to denote the less central or marginal zone of any system.

Meaning 2：secondary aspect (periphery)

periphery 🔊

/pəˈrɪfəri/

A part or aspect that is less important or central to the main focus.

Team meeting with main speaker in focus and peripheral members blurred

secondary aspect 🔊

➕

/ˈsɛkənˌdɛri ˈæspɛkt/

A part or element that is less central, important, or influential compared to the main focus.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：Advanced

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

In her speech, she kept the technical details on the periphery, focusing instead on the main benefits for everyone. 🔊 In her speech, she kept the technical details as less important, focusing instead on the main benefits for everyone.

🔗 Collocations

keep on the periphery – to treat as marginal or less important

periphery issue – a matter of secondary concern

relegate to the periphery – to push something to the margins of attention

🔄 Synonyms

margin (n.) – an edge or area away from the main part, often implying limited importance

fringe (n.) – the outer, less central part of a group or activity

backwater (n.) – a place or situation that is isolated or undeveloped, often metaphorically peripheral

🚫 Antonyms

core (n.) – the central, most essential part

hub (n.) – the central point of activity or importance

mainstay (n.) – the principal support or central element

🌱 Derivatives

peripheral (adj.) – relating to being less important; not central

peripherality (n.) – the state of being peripheral

peripheric (adj.) – variant of peripheral (less common)