Peruse
Lawyers pretend it means read carefully; most people use it to mean skim with intent, and both uses fight for space in the wild.
Learn This WordMeaning
To read or examine something carefully; to look through attentively.
Memory trick
Think "PER-USE" = use it thoroughly by going through it carefully.
Examples
I’ll peruse the proposal tonight and send feedback tomorrow.
She perused the menu before choosing the daily special.
He perused the contract for any hidden fees.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology
From Middle English perusen "to use up, go through," of uncertain origin; modern meaning emphasizes careful reading or inspection.
Usage Notes
In careful writing, peruse implies attentive reading. In casual speech, people sometimes use it as “skim,” so be mindful of audience.
Real-life contexts
Use at work: "Let me peruse this doc and get back to you."
Use for requests: "Can you peruse the PR description for clarity?"
Use for decisions: "I want to peruse the options before committing."
Common Mistakes
Peruse is often misused to mean “skim quickly.” Traditionally, it means to examine carefully.
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Start LearningQuick Facts
Part of Speech
verb
Difficulty
intermediateMonthly Searches
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