Definition of PERUSE (original) (raw)
1
a
: to examine or consider with attention and in detail : study
b
: to look over or through in a casual or cursory manner
2
: read
especially : to read over in an attentive or leisurely manner
Frequently Asked Questions
Does peruse mean "read in detail"?
Peruse can mean "to read something in a relaxed way, or skim" and can also mean "to read something carefully or in detail." It is what is known as a contronym, a word having two meanings that contradict one another. There are numerous examples of these in English, including sanction, oversight, and dust. If you use peruse simply take care that your intended meaning is made clear by the context.
Does peruse mean "to skim"?
Yes; one of our definitions for peruse is "to skim." However, you should be aware that another of our definitions for this word is "to read something in detail." Some usage guides feel that the ‘"read carefully" sense is correct and that the "skim" sense is not. Both have been in widespread use for some four hundred years.
What is the noun form of peruse?
Peruse is a verb, referring to either the casual or the thorough and detailed examining of something. The related noun meaning "the act or an instance of perusing something" is perusal. Another noun related to peruse is peruser, "one who peruses."
Synonyms
Examples of peruse in a Sentence
To refresh my memory of the old days, I asked for some Dailies of the thirties from the morgue, sat down at the large round oak table at the end of the editorial room on the second floor, and began riffling through the musty pages. Soon a burly middle-aged man appeared and seated himself at the table to peruse some recent issues of the paper and take notes. —
Arthur Miller, Timebends, 1987 I've even found myself idly perusing the Yellow Pages, not frantic for a plumber, just browsing. —Lesley Conger, Writer, October 1968 Bessie asked if I would have a book … , and I begged her to fetch Gulliver's Travels from the library. This book I had again and again perused with delight. —Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre, 1847
He perused the newspaper over breakfast. perused the manuscript, checking for grammatical errors
Recent Examples on the Web My nine-to-five involves perusing Walmart’s seemingly endless deals and new arrivals. —Ali Faccenda, Peoplemag, 7 Sep. 2024 Videos inside the main entrance help bring the experience to life before guests are invited to peruse selections from the brand’s fall collection by artistic director Alessandro Sartori. —Jean E. Palmieri, WWD, 5 Sep. 2024 But this update gives you more specific ways to peruse listings based on proximity to certain locations and pricing. —Emma Roth, The Verge, 4 Sep. 2024 JLo was dressed down for the occasion, wearing a white linen jumpsuit and sneakers, and the pair were seen perusing Neiman Marcus arm-in-arm. —Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 13 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for peruse 
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'peruse.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, to use up, deal with in sequence, from Latin per- thoroughly + Middle English usen to use
First Known Use
circa 1520, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of peruse was circa 1520
Dictionary Entries Near peruse
Cite this Entry
“Peruse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peruse. Accessed 19 Sep. 2024.
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Last Updated: 11 Sep 2024 - Updated example sentences
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