peruse

Everyday

1. (formal) To read or look at something carefully and in detail. tree →
2. (informal, common use) To look through something casually or browse: perusing the shelves of a shop. tree →

In the lessons

A formal, slightly old-fashioned word heard in exam instructions and stories: «Peruse the passage before answering». In stories a character peruses a menu, a map or a letter. Many people now use it to mean «skim» or «browse», so its meaning has two sides. In maths it never changes the numbers; it means read the problem carefully. Phrases: «peruse the menu», «peruse the document», «peruse at your leisure».

Examples

• Please peruse the instructions before you start. tree →
• Dad perused the menu for ages. tree →
• The detective perused the letter for clues. tree →
• We perused the books at the school fair. tree →
• She perused the map to find the shortest road. tree →
• Take a moment to peruse the questions. tree →
• Grandma likes perusing the newspaper over breakfast. tree →

Note

Regular verb: perused. Trap: its original meaning is to read carefully, but many people use it for «glance through» — the opposite. In exams, read it as «read carefully». Noun: perusal.