Browse: meaning, definitions and examples

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browse

 

[ braʊz ]

Verb / Noun
Context #1 | Verb

internet search

To search for information on the internet

Synonyms

scan, search, surf.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
browse

Use this word when you are looking through items casually, without a specific goal in mind. It's often used when shopping or looking through information online.

  • I decided to browse through the bookstore for a while.
  • She's just browsing the internet for funny videos.
search

Use this word when you are looking for something specific and you have a clear goal. It's commonly used online or when looking for physical items.

  • I need to search for my lost keys.
  • They searched the internet for cheap flight tickets.
surf

This word is best used when talking about casually exploring the internet, without a specific aim. It can also imply more active navigation through webpages.

  • He spent the evening surfing the web.
  • She enjoys surfing social media sites.
scan

This word is appropriate when quickly looking over something to find specific information. It's often used when skimming through documents or articles.

  • He scanned the report to find the key statistics.
  • She scanned the crowd for a familiar face.

Examples of usage

  • I like to browse the internet for interesting articles.
  • She spends hours browsing online shopping websites.
Context #2 | Verb

bookstore

To look casually through books or magazines without necessarily intending to buy anything

Synonyms

flip through, peruse, scan.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
browse

Best used when looking through items in a casual or relaxed manner without a specific goal.

  • She loves to browse through fashion magazines on weekends.
  • He browsed the bookstore, looking at different genres.
peruse

Refers to reading or examining something carefully and thoroughly.

  • He perused the contract carefully before signing it.
  • She perused the art exhibit, studying each piece in detail.
scan

Ideal for quickly looking over text or information to find specific details or data.

  • She scanned the list to find her name.
  • He scanned the menu before deciding what to order.
flip through

Suitable for quickly turning pages of a book or magazine, often looking for something specific.

  • He flipped through the photo album, searching for a picture of his grandparents.
  • She flipped through her notes to find the right section.

Examples of usage

  • We spent the afternoon browsing in the bookstore.
  • She enjoys browsing through cookbooks for new recipes.
Context #3 | Noun

internet search

The act of casually looking for information on the internet

Synonyms

scanning, search, surfing.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
browse

Use when casually looking through a collection of items, such as in a store or online. It implies looking without a specific goal.

  • She likes to browse through books at the library
  • He spent the afternoon browsing online shops
search

Ideal for situations where you are looking for something specific and with a clear purpose. Can be used for both physical and digital contexts.

  • They searched the house for the missing keys
  • He searched online for information about the topic
surfing

Commonly refers to casually exploring or navigating the internet. Often involves moving from one webpage to another without a specific goal.

  • He spent hours surfing the internet last night
  • She loves surfing through different blogs in her free time
scanning

Best used when quickly looking through something to find specific information. Often involves a fast, superficial look.

  • He was scanning the newspaper for job ads
  • She scanned the crowd for a familiar face

Examples of usage

  • I had a quick browse to see if I could find any interesting news.

Translations

Translations of the word "browse" in other languages:

🇵🇹 navegar

🇮🇳 ब्राउज़ करना

🇩🇪 durchsuchen

🇮🇩 menjelajah

🇺🇦 переглядати

🇵🇱 przeglądać

🇯🇵 閲覧する (etsuran suru)

🇫🇷 parcourir

🇪🇸 navegar

🇹🇷 göz atmak

🇰🇷 검색하다 (geomsaekhada)

🇸🇦 تصفح (tasafah)

🇨🇿 procházet

🇸🇰 prehliadať

🇨🇳 浏览 (liúlǎn)

🇸🇮 brskati

🇮🇸 skoða

🇰🇿 қарап шығу

🇬🇪 დათვალიერება (datvaliereba)

🇦🇿 göz atmaq

🇲🇽 navegar

Etymology

The word 'browse' originated from the Middle English word 'browsen', which means to feed on buds and young shoots. Over time, the meaning evolved to include the act of casually looking through items or information. In the context of the internet, 'browse' gained popularity as a term for searching and exploring online content.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #17,681, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.