What does perusal mean?
Perusal means a careful, attentive reading or examination of something. It is especially associated with texts that need to be understood or assessed, such as contracts, reports, letters, and other formal documents. In everyday conversation, “reading” may sound more casual, while “perusal” conveys deliberation and close attention. The word can also imply a quick but focused look at a longer text, as in a “brief perusal.” Perusal is used in both British and American English and is common in professional, legal, and editorial contexts, though it is also suitable in ordinary conversation. Its usefulness lies in its combination of neutrality and precision: it identifies the activity of examining written material without suggesting either a superficial glance or a detailed line-by-line analysis.
nounA careful and thorough reading or examination of something, especially a document, text, or set of details.
- A careful and thorough reading or examination of something, especially a document or text.
"After a careful perusal of the contract, she signed it without hesitation."
"The report received a brief perusal before the meeting began."
"His perusal of the evidence revealed several inconsistencies."
The plural is used when referring to separate acts of examining or reading something.
"The student made several perusals of the difficult passage."
Perusal is the quiet promise to give a text your full attention before deciding what it means.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does perusal come from?
The noun perusal was formed in English from the verb peruse with the suffix -al during the Middle English period. Peruse came through Anglo-French from Latin perusare, meaning to examine or inspect carefully. The Latin word combined per-, an intensive prefix, with usare, meaning to use, reflecting the idea of examining something thoroughly.
How perusal is actually used
Perusal is used in neutral to formal contexts and often suggests a deliberate, attentive examination rather than casual reading. It is particularly common with documents, contracts, reports, and detailed written material.
Easily confused with perusal
Peruse is the verb meaning to read or examine carefully, whereas perusal is the noun naming that activity.
A preview is an advance look at something, while a perusal is a deliberate examination of the complete text or details.