browse

[ brouz ]

verb (used with object)

, browsed, brows·ing.

1. to eat, nibble at, or feed on (leaves, tender shoots, or other soft vegetation).
2. to graze; pasture on.
3. to look through or glance at casually or randomly:

   He's browsing the shelves for something to read.

   Synonyms: check, peruse, examine, skim, scan

4. to access and view (website content) with a Web browser, usually without looking for something specific:

   a secure way to browse the Web.

verb (used without object)

, browsed, brows·ing.

1. to feed on or nibble at foliage, lichen, berries, etc.
2. to graze.
3. to glance at random through a book, magazine, etc.
4. to look leisurely at goods displayed for sale, as in a store.
5. to access and view websites with a Web browser, as in mobile browsing online browsing

   If you love to browse while on the road, you can easily take advantage of free Wi-Fi .

noun

1. tender shoots or twigs of shrubs and trees as food for cattle, deer, etc.
2. an act or instance of browsing.

browse

/ braʊz /

verb

1. to look through (a book, articles for sale in a shop, etc) in a casual leisurely manner
2. computing to search for and read hypertext, esp on the Internet
3. (of deer, goats, etc) to feed upon (vegetation) by continual nibbling

noun

1. the act or an instance of browsing
2. the young twigs, shoots, leaves, etc, on which certain animals feed

Other Words From

• browser noun
• non·browsing adjective noun
• over·browse verb (used with object) overbrowsed overbrowsing
• un·browsing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of browse¹

1400–50; late Middle English browsen, perhaps a verbal derivative of Anglo-French broz, plural of brot shoot, new growth, Old French brost < Old Low Franconian *brust bud, noun derivative of *brustjan; compare Old Saxon brustian to come into bud

Word History and Origins

Origin of browse¹

C15: from French broust, brost (modern French brout ) bud, of Germanic origin; compare Old Saxon brustian to bud

Example Sentences

The popular app, which uses a location-based model that allows users to browse potential dates in their area, has gone through several ownership changes in recent years, but has continued to post solid profits from a dedicated user base in the tens of millions.

From Los Angeles Times

Other apps such as Grindr, which is headquartered in West Hollywood and caters to gay men, use a location-based model where users can browse potential dates in their area.

From Los Angeles Times

On its website — where shoppers can browse by “it list trends,” such as “denim on denim,” “shades of red” and “utility chic” — there’s a landing page of Maxwell’s favorite Free Assembly picks, including a men’s faux sherpa jacket for $30 and a women’s oversized teddy coat for $65.

From Los Angeles Times

With our tablets, we can browse a vast musical archive, unless we’re in solitary confinement for disciplinary reasons, but no legal materials.

From Slate

It is an increasingly common message from websites: browse for free - if you allow us to track your data and target you with personalised ads - if you don't, hand over some cash.

From BBC

Related Words

• flip through
• leaf through
• peruse
• read
• scan
• skim