What does peruse mean?
Peruse means to read or examine something with careful, sustained attention. It is commonly used with documents, contracts, reports, manuscripts, and other written materials, as in “peruse the terms of service.” The verb carries a formal, literate tone and emphasizes thoroughness rather than speed. Although it can describe looking closely at something in order to understand its details, its central use is for careful reading. Peruse should not be confused with pursue: to peruse a text is to examine it closely, while to pursue a goal is to seek to achieve it. The word is useful in formal and professional contexts where accuracy and close attention to the content are important.
verbTo read or examine something carefully and thoroughly, especially a document or written material.
- To read a text or document carefully and thoroughly.
- To examine or inspect something carefully in order to understand its details.
"She took time to peruse the contract before signing it."
"The editor perused the manuscript for grammatical errors."
"Consumers should peruse the terms of service before accepting them."
Peruse is the literary equivalent of looking over something closely, word by word.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does peruse come from?
Peruse entered English in the early 17th century from Latin perusere, meaning “to use up” or “examine thoroughly.” The Latin word was formed from the prefix per-, meaning “through” or “completely,” and usere, meaning “to use.” Its original sense developed from using or consuming something fully into examining it in detail. English later adopted the more familiar meaning of reading carefully, while related forms such as usage and usual continue to reflect the same Latin root.
Related word forms
How peruse is actually used
Peruse is formal and slightly literary in contemporary use. It suggests more sustained and attentive attention than read, although scan can also mean to examine the surface features of something.
Easily confused with peruse
To peruse something is to read or examine it carefully, whereas to pursue something is to try to achieve it or follow it.