peruse

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "peruse" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the word "peruse" to mean to read or examine something carefully and thoroughly. Example Sentence: I need to peruse the contract before signing it.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Once one of Asia's biggest, Jaffna library was destroyed by a mob in 1981; now rebuilt, it is a harmonious place where ceiling fans whirr and polished wood glows in the sunlight as men of all ages peruse newspapers.

The Guardian - Travel

Yes, just follow the link, and you will be able to peruse a magical selection of presents for the pre-clear in your life.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

To pass the time while we wait for instruction from staff on the 7.30am Dublin to Belfast Enterprise service, I peruse the coverage of the proposed royal visit to Ireland next month.

The Guardian

On the day this non-story came out, theoutnet.com, which I have been known to peruse, purely for professional purposes, put Jacobs on the front of its site, proclaiming him "New York's coolest designer".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"The only integration that means anything is a job," says Samir Mihi, a youth worker at Clichy's town hall whose parents are from Algeria.Clichy has no government-run job centre, so the jobless have to catch a bus to a neighbouring suburb to peruse job vacancies and talk to a job-placement adviser.

The Economist

Peruse the tables in a British bookstore, and it is clear that the seasonal sentiment is not levity, which usually does well in December, but griping.The complaint genre is stylistically diverse.

The Economist

One such reminder has just been delivered in the East Midlands.To get a flavour of the row that is raging over the Al-Madinah school (pictured), a state-supported, Muslim-run establishment in Derby, it's enough to peruse the letter sent to the chair of the board of governors by Lord Nash, a junior minister responsible for schools.

The Economist

The next American president would do well to peruse Mr Muasher's offering.With his inside knowledge of the tortuous, snail-like peace process, he upbraids, in measured tones, a host of fellow actors, primarily but by no means exclusively Israeli.

The Economist

Anyone visiting the library's reading room can now peruse these pages, along with the first draft of Ballard's semi-autobiographical "Empire of the Sun", and his school reports and letters.The appeal of such relics is partly the "magical value" of the thing itself, as poet Philip Larkin termed it, and partly the chance to understand authors and their work better.

The Economist

The last devoted its most recent issue to "sensemaking, organising, and storytelling," and, having previously championed storytelling as a form of education, your correspondent felt honour-bound to peruse the articles.

The Economist

Consumers can peruse goods on the shelves but pay on their mobile phones to save queuing, and have their goods delivered straight to their homes.Citigroup predicts that net profits at the firm's property division will keep soaring, rising by over half between 2014 and 2016, to 22.8 billion yuan.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "peruse" when you want to convey a sense of careful or thorough reading, but be mindful of its slightly formal tone.

Common error

Avoid using "peruse" in very informal contexts; words like "read" or "look at" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The word "peruse" functions primarily as a verb, indicating the act of reading or examining something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to describe a careful and thorough reading, although it can also imply a more casual skimming. Examples in Ludwig illustrate its use with various objects, such as "newspapers", "job vacancies", and "archives".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "peruse" is a versatile verb, primarily denoting the act of reading or examining something with attention. As Ludwig AI verifies, it generally implies a careful and thorough approach but can also refer to casual skimming. Its usage spans across various domains, as shown in the examples from Ludwig, but it's particularly prevalent in journalistic and encyclopedic contexts. While grammatically correct and widely used, remember to consider its slightly formal tone and choose it accordingly. Consider using alternatives like "examine" or "scan" for different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

examine

Focuses on a detailed inspection or investigation.

read through

Focuses on reading the entire document or text.

go through

Suggests a process of reading or examining something from beginning to end.

look over

Implies a less formal and quick review.

browse

Suggests a casual and unfocused exploration.

inspect

Emphasizes a formal and systematic examination.

check out

Indicates a casual way of examining something.

scan

Implies a quick overview, rather than a thorough reading.

study

Implies a deeper, more concentrated form of examination.

scrutinize

Indicates a very careful and critical examination.

FAQs

How can I use "peruse" in a sentence?

You can use "peruse" to indicate examining or reading something carefully. For example, "I need to peruse the contract before signing it".

What can I say instead of "peruse"?

You can use alternatives like "examine", "scan", or "browse" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "peruse" to mean skim?

While "peruse" primarily means to read or examine carefully, it can also mean to skim or look over casually. Ludwig provides examples where "peruse" is used in both senses.

What is the difference between "peruse" and "study"?

"Peruse" suggests a general reading or examination, while "study" implies a more in-depth and focused analysis.