Vocabulary in context
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Peruse
To read something carefully and thoroughly; to examine in detail.
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Imagine This
Imagine you're a librarian poring over a thick manual. Rather than skimming, you pore over each page, annotating definitions, dates, and subtle nuances to ensure you understand every clause.
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Sounds Like
/pəˈruːz/ or /pɚˈjuːz/
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Looks Like
per-use; pursue (to seek after)
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Remember This
Peruse often means read carefully today, but historically it could also mean skim; be mindful of context to avoid confusion with pursue. A perusal is the act of reading or examining something in detail.
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Other Forms
perusalnoun
perusernoun
perusinggerund
perusedpast participle / verb (past tense)
peruseverb (base form)
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Connect With
read, examine, study, scrutinize, browse, go over
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Note
Common pitfall: confusing peruse with pursue or with perusal (the noun). Use peruse for careful reading; use browse or skim if you mean a quick glance.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- She perused the contract before signing, checking every term and condition.
- He perused the menu for a long time, looking for a healthy option.
Synonyms
examinescrutinizestudyreadbrowse
Antonyms
ignoreoverlookskim
Etymology
From Middle English perusen, from Old French peruser, from Latin per- 'through' + usus 'use'.
Mnemonic
Mnemonic: PORE OVER — you literally pore over text with your eyes; peruse sounds like 'pore-use' to remember reading through carefully.
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Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Scrutinize
verbTo examine closely; to investigate thoroughly.
Abandon
verbTo give up completely, to desert or leave behind, or to relinquish a claim, plan, or responsibility.
Abate
verbTo decrease in amount or intensity; to reduce or end something.
Abolish
verbTo formally end or repeal a system, practice, or institution; to officially put an end to something established.
Abridge
verbTo shorten (a text, speech, or other work) by omitting parts; to condense.
Abscond
verbTo depart secretly or flee, especially to avoid detection or arrest.
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