What does per mean?
Per is a preposition used most often to express a rate, proportion, or relationship between one unit and another: “one ticket per person,” “thirty miles per gallon,” and “a fee per square metre.” In these uses, it means “for each” or “for every.” Per can also mean “according to,” as in “per the agreement,” or “by means of,” though these uses are less frequent. The phrase “per se” comes from Latin and means “by itself” or “considered independently.” Although per may sound more formal or technical than alternatives such as “for every,” it is entirely ordinary in measurements, prices, schedules, and statistical language. Its distinction from “for” is useful: per tends to establish a unit, rate, or “each” relationship, while for commonly identifies a beneficiary, purpose, or exchange. Per ultimately comes from Latin per, originally meaning “through” or “by means of,” a history reflected in related English words such as perennial, perpetual, and permanent.
prepositionA preposition meaning “for each” or “for every,” especially when expressing a rate, proportion, or measure. It can also mean “according to,” “by means of,” or “in proportion to,” depending on context.
- For each or for every, especially when expressing a rate, proportion, or measure.
- According to or in accordance with a specified standard.
- By means of or through the agency of.
- In proportion to, especially when expressing a ratio or comparative measure.
- In the phrase per se, meaning by itself or considered independently.
"The charity aims to provide clean drinking water to fifty families per year."
"Each ticket allows entry for one person per visit."
"The fee is calculated per square metre of floor space."
The tiny word per is a Latin fossil: it began as “through” and now helps us count, measure, and divide.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does per come from?
English per comes through Old French from Latin per, a preposition meaning “through,” “by,” or “by means of.” Latin speakers extended the word in expressions indicating passage, means, and proportion, and English later developed the common modern senses of “for each” and “according to.” The same Latin element survives in related words such as perennial, perpetual, permanent, and permeate.
How per is actually used
Per is common in formal, technical, statistical, and commercial contexts, but it is also standard in everyday descriptions of rates and quantities. British English often uses “per cent,” while American English more commonly writes “percent.” In “per se,” the phrase retains a formal, Latin-derived character and means “in itself” or “considered independently.”
Easily confused with per
Per usually expresses a rate, proportion, or “for each” relationship, whereas for more commonly indicates a recipient, purpose, exchange, or beneficiary.