peruse

American  

[puh-rooz] / pəˈruz /

verb (used with object)

perused, perusing

1. to read through with thoroughness or care.

   Make sure you peruse the document before signing.

2. to scan or browse: Visitors will be able to peruse artworks by young people across the state.

   Sometimes I peruse the magazines near the cash register while waiting to check out.

   Visitors will be able to peruse artworks by young people across the state.

3. to read.

   If romantic plots interest you, consider perusing her latest novel.

4. to survey or examine in detail.

   We had the opportunity to hear both sides and peruse the evidence.

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peruse British  

/ pəˈruːz /

verb

1. to read or examine with care; study

2. to browse or read through in a leisurely way

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Other Word Forms

• perusable adjective
• perusal noun
• peruser noun
• preperuse verb (used with object)
• quasi-perusable adjective
• reperuse verb (used with object)
• unperusable adjective
• unperused adjective

Etymology

Origin of peruse

First recorded in 1470–80 in the sense “use up, go through”; first recorded in 1525–35 for current senses; per- + use

Example Sentences

It is increasingly becoming a social network, where users go to peruse work by multiple authors.

From The Wall Street Journal

My wife peruses L.A. condo listings frequently and the two of us have periodically gone with a Los Angeles real-estate agent to see new listings.

From MarketWatch

Young men and women mingled freely, perusing works of contemporary art and design objects while a band played live music in the background.

From The Wall Street Journal

Their paths initially crossed at the Anaheim public library, where they went to peruse its Disneyland collection.

From Los Angeles Times

One woman perusing the flowers outside the Bondi Pavilion on Sunday admits she is too scared to do that.

From BBC

Related Words

• analyze
• browse
• inspect
• look through
• pore over
• scan
• scrutinize
• skim