Everyday · Often misused · Books & writing
Peruse: meaning, pronunciation and examples
Peruse verb. To read or examine something carefully and thoroughly.
How to say it
puh-ROOZ/pəˈruːz/
2 syllables, stressed on the second (ROOZ). Forms: perused.
Peruse in a sentence
She perused the contract line by line before signing.
The inspector perused every receipt in the shoebox.
Similar and opposite
Similar:
- scrutinise
- study
- examine
- pore over
Opposite:
- skim
- glance at
Careful
Peruse traditionally means read closely. It's now widely used for browsing or glancing over, which dictionaries record, so it can mean opposite things; 'study' or 'skim' is clearer.
Where peruse comes from
Probably from per-, thoroughly, and use, so first meaning to use up.
Test yourself
Which word fills the gap?
The inspector _____ every receipt in the shoebox.
- peruse
- transpire
- decimate
Show the answer
peruse: The inspector perused every receipt in the shoebox.