perusal
Americannoun
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a reading.
a perusal of the current books.
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the act of perusing; survey; scrutiny.
A more careful perusal yields this conclusion.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of perusal
Explanation
Perusal is the activity of carefully reading, poring over, or studying something with the intent of remembering it. Sometimes the word perusal is used incorrectly, as in, “I’ll make a quick perusal of this document and then we’ll start the meeting.” Don’t do that. Remember that perusal actually means “thorough reading.” The verb form of this word, peruse, dates from the late 15th century, when it meant “use up" or "wear out.” So, take care: The perusal of a book could be so intense that it wears the book out!
Vocabulary lists containing perusal
Talk Like Shakespeare Day, List 5
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The Chocolate War
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Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Thankfully, “The Library of Lost Maps” collects and presents some of the great maps of the past for leisurely perusal.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 31, 2025
Based on a perusal of Glassdoor and Salary.com, he said, the average corporate Target salary ran at about $90,000 to $100,000 a year.
From MarketWatch • Oct. 26, 2025
The composition portrays her alert perusal of a text connected to the public world of action, and him relaxing with a text connected to a contemplative interior life.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 4, 2025
Smith’s filing, for Judge Tanya Chutkan’s perusal, argues that Trump’s actions fell well outside his official duties as president.
From Slate • Oct. 5, 2024
She ended this deep perusal by tying a green ribbon in her hair.
From "Sula" by Toni Morrison
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
