Peruse: Meaning and Usage
“Peruse” is a formal reading verb. Cambridge records it for reading through material, especially when looking for a part of interest, so a good guide should explain the actual reading task rather than reduce the word to a slogan such as “always skim” or “always study.”
“Peruse” is a formal verb for reading or looking through material. Context can emphasize examining material or reading through it to find something of interest.
Key details
Choose the right form
| What you need to communicate | Best wording | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Formal act of reading/looking through material | peruse | The verb is a formal fit for reading through material. |
| A quick surface scan | skim / glance through | These words state the speed or depth directly. |
| A careful line-by-line examination | read carefully / examine | These words remove ambiguity about depth. |
Quick tests
Precision test
Does the exact depth or speed of reading matter to the instruction?
If yes: State the depth directly with a more precise verb or modifier.
If no: “Peruse” can work when the general formal act of reading/looking through is enough.
Caveat: Avoid teaching “peruse” as if it must always mean either a quick skim or an exhaustive study.
Examples
Please peruse the attached catalogue before the meeting.
The formal verb works when the exact reading depth is not the main point.
Peruse the safety manual in thirty seconds.
Better: Skim the safety manual in thirty seconds.
If a quick scan is intended, “skim” states the task more precisely.
Further guidance
Meaning
Use “peruse” when a formal tone suits the act of reading or looking through material; if speed or depth matters, state it directly with a more precise verb or modifier.
Usage Boundary
Avoid teaching a false one-word rule that “peruse” must mean only a quick skim or only exhaustive study. The practical decision is to make the intended reading depth clear from context.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- peruse — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press & Assessment · Peruse as a formal verb for reading or looking through material