Peeps vs. People — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 29, 2024
Peeps typically refers to friends or people in one's social circle, often used in informal contexts, while people generally denotes humans or individuals in a group, regardless of their relationship to the speaker.
Difference Between Peeps and People
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Key Differences
Peeps is a slang term that has gained popularity in informal speech and writing, specifically referring to friends, acquaintances, or members of one’s immediate social circle. It's often used to convey a sense of familiarity and camaraderie. On the other hand, the term people is more formal and universal, used to describe any group of humans or humanity as a whole, without implying any specific relationship or closeness.
The use of peeps tends to imply a level of informality and intimacy, suggesting that the speaker shares a personal bond with those being referred to. Whereas, referring to individuals as people does not inherently convey any specific type of relationship or emotional closeness; it's neutral and can be applied in both formal and casual contexts.
Peeps is commonly used in casual conversations, texts, and social media, where brevity and informality are valued. It reflects the speaker's personality and their relationship with the audience or group being mentioned. People, however, is appropriate in any context, from academic and professional discussions to casual conversations, and serves as a generic term for human beings or populations.
The choice between peeps and people can also indicate the speaker's intent and the formality of the situation. Using peeps in a professional or formal setting might be considered inappropriate or too casual, reflecting a lack of seriousness. In contrast, using people maintains a neutral or formal tone, suitable for a wide range of situations.
Despite their differences, both terms fulfill the important role of identifying human beings, whether in a specific, familiar group or more broadly. The choice between them depends largely on the context, the relationship between the speaker and those being referred to, and the level of formality desired.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Informal term for friends or close acquaintances.
General term for human beings or individuals in a group.
Context
Casual, informal settings.
Any context, from formal to informal.
Connotation
Implies familiarity and closeness.
Neutral, without implying specific relationships.
Usage
Conversations, texts, social media.
Universal usage in all types of discourse.
Appropriateness
Mostly inappropriate in formal contexts.
Suitable for both formal and informal contexts.
Compare with Definitions
Peeps
Slang for friends or close acquaintances.
I'm hanging out with my peeps this weekend.
People
Human beings collectively.
People need food, water, and shelter to survive.
Peeps
Often used in informal digital communication.
Sent a message to my peeps about the party.
People
Individuals within a specific group or area.
The people in this city are very friendly.
Peeps
Can denote a sense of belonging to a group.
My peeps are always there for me.
People
Can signify a group with a common characteristic.
People with the same interests tend to get along well.
Peeps
Implies a casual, friendly relationship.
Just chilling at home with my peeps.
People
Refers to human beings in a general sense.
People are capable of incredible kindness.
Peeps
Used to refer to one’s social circle.
My peeps love going to the beach.
People
Used to refer to citizens or the public.
The people have the power to change the government.
Peeps
Peeps are marshmallows sold in the United States and Canada that are shaped into chicks, bunnies, and other animals. There are also different shapes used for various holidays.
People
A people is a plurality of persons considered as a whole, as is the case with an ethnic group, nation or the public of a polity.
Peeps
People (often used to refer to a person's friends or associates)
She's back home with her peeps in Milwaukee
Thanks for the feedback, peeps!
People
The members of a particular nation, community, or ethnic group
The native peoples of Canada
Peeps
Plural of peep
People
The supporters or employees of a person in a position of power or authority
I've had my people watching the house for some time now
Peeps
(slang) people; often especially (with personal pronoun) one's friends or associates.
Not many peeps here tonight, innit?
Hey my peeps, how are you doing?
People
(of a group of people) inhabit (a place)
An arid mountain region peopled by warring clans
People
Humans considered as a group or in indefinite numbers. Often treated as a plural of person, alone and in compounds
People were dancing in the street. I met all sorts of people. This book is not intended for laypeople.
People
The mass of ordinary persons; the populace. Used with the
"those who fear and distrust the people, and wish to draw all powers from them into the hands of the higher classes" (Thomas Jefferson).
People
A body of persons living in the same country under one national government; a nationality.
People
The citizens of a political unit, such as a nation or state; the electorate. Used with the.
People
Pl. peo·ples A body of persons sharing a common religion, culture, or language
The peoples of central Asia.
People
Persons with regard to their residence, class, profession, or group
City people.
Farming people.
People
Persons subordinate to or loyal to a ruler, superior, or employer
The manager would like to introduce you to our people in the regional office.
People
A person's family, relatives, or ancestors
Where are your people from?.
People
(Informal) Animals or other beings distinct from humans
Rabbits and squirrels are the furry little people of the woods.
People
To settle or inhabit with people; populate.
People
To be present in or on (a place)
"The stores ... are peopled by serious shoppers" (Perri Klass).
People
Used as plural of person; a body of human beings considered generally or collectively; a group of two or more persons.
There were so many people at the restaurant last night.
People
(countable) Persons forming or belonging to a particular group, such as a nation, class, ethnic group, country, family, etc.
People
A group of persons regarded as being employees, followers, companions or subjects of a ruler.
People
One's colleagues or employees.
People
A person's ancestors, relatives or family.
My people lived through the Black Plague and the Thirty Years War.
People
The mass of a community as distinguished from a special class (elite); the commonalty; the populace; the vulgar; the common crowd; the citizens.
People
Plural of person.
People
(transitive) To stock with people or inhabitants; to fill as with people; to populate.
People
(intransitive) To become populous or populated.
People
(transitive) To inhabit; to occupy; to populate.
People
To interact with people; to socialize.
People
The body of persons who compose a community, tribe, nation, or race; an aggregate of individuals forming a whole; a community; a nation.
Unto him shall the gathering of the people be.
The ants are a people not strong.
Before many peoples, and nations, and tongues.
Earth's monarchs are her peoples.
A government of all the people, by all the people, for all the people.
People
Persons, generally; an indefinite number of men and women; folks; population, or part of population; as, country people; - sometimes used as an indefinite subject or verb, like on in French, and man in German; as, people in adversity.
People were tempted to lend by great premiums.
People have lived twenty-four days upon nothing but water.
People
The mass of community as distinguished from a special class; the commonalty; the populace; the vulgar; the common crowd; as, nobles and people.
And strive to gain his pardon from the people.
People
One's ancestors or family; kindred; relations; as, my people were English.
People
To stock with people or inhabitants; to fill as with people; to populate.
As the gay motes that people the sunbeams.
People
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively;
Old people
There were at least 200 people in the audience
People
The body of citizens of a state or country;
The Spanish people
People
The common people generally;
Separate the warriors from the mass
Power to the people
People
Members of a family line;
His people have been farmers for generations
Are your people still alive?
People
Fill with people or supply with inhabitants;
People a room
The government wanted to populate the remote area of the country
People
Make one's home or live in;
She resides officially in Iceland
I live in a 200-year old house
These people inhabited all the islands that are now deserted
The plains are sparsely populated
Common Curiosities
What is the main difference between peeps and people?
Peeps informally refers to friends or close acquaintances, while people is a general term for human beings or individuals in a group.
Do peeps and people convey different levels of familiarity?
Yes, peeps conveys a level of familiarity and closeness, whereas people is neutral and does not imply a specific relationship.
How do peeps and people fit into language evolution?
Both terms reflect the dynamic nature of language, with peeps showing how informal, slang terms can become mainstream, while people remains a stable, universally understood term.
Is the use of peeps widespread?
The use of peeps is widespread in informal, casual speech, especially among younger demographics and in digital communication.
Can peeps be used in professional settings?
Generally, peeps is considered too casual for professional settings and is better suited for informal contexts.
How has the term peeps evolved?
Originally slang, peeps has become more accepted in casual speech and text as a friendly term for referring to one's social circle.
Are there any cultural differences in the use of peeps?
Yes, the popularity and acceptance of slang terms like peeps can vary by culture and region, influencing how widely it is used and understood.
Is it appropriate to use people when referring to friends?
Yes, using people to refer to friends is appropriate and more neutral, though it does not convey the same level of intimacy as peeps.
Can the term people have a negative connotation?
While generally neutral, the context in which people is used can give it a positive or negative connotation, depending on the speaker's tone and intent.
Is the use of peeps declining or increasing?
The use of slang terms like peeps fluctuates with trends in language and culture, potentially increasing with digital communication's rise.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
