Word of the Day

: August 5, 2007

peruse

verb puh-ROOZ

What It Means

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

peruse in Context

Dmitri perused the menu while we waited for a table.

Did You Know?

"Peruse" has long been a literary word, used by such famous authors as Shakespeare, Tennyson, and Thomas Hardy, and it tends to have a literary flavor even in our time. "Peruse" can suggest paying close attention to something, but it can also simply mean "to read." The "read" sense, which is not especially new and was in fact included in Samuel Johnson's 1755 dictionary, has drawn some criticism over the years for being too broad. Some commentators have recommended that "peruse" be reserved for reading with great care and attention to detail. But the fact remains that "peruse" is often used in situations where a simple "read" definition could be easily substituted. It may suggest either an attentive read or a quick scan.

*Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence.