noun

browser

BROW-zuh

Browser (noun) means a computer program used to find, load and display pages on the web, such as Chrome, Safari, Firefox or Edge. Example: “Open a new tab in your browser and paste the link.”

noun

A computer program used to find, load and display pages on the web, such as Chrome, Safari, Firefox or Edge.

"Open a new tab in your browser and paste the link."

"The site does not display properly in older browsers."

A person who looks casually through goods in a shop or items on a shelf without necessarily intending to buy.

"The gallery is happy for browsers to wander in off the street."

technical An animal that feeds on the leaves, shoots and twigs of trees and shrubs rather than on grass.

"Giraffes are browsers, while zebras are grazers."

How to Use Browser

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe app you use to visit websites.

When to use it

The computing sense is neutral and universal; the shopping and animal senses are far less common in everyday speech.

Memory tip

Say 'in your browser' for where something happens and 'on Google' for where you search — Google is a site you open inside a browser.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

search engine browser vs Google app →

Common pairings

web browser default browser browser tab browser history clear your browser cache

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “browser” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

Open a new tab in your _____ and paste the link.

Etymology

From the verb browse, which came into English from Old French brost 'bud, young shoot', originally describing animals feeding on shoots and leaves.

Origin: Old French

Synonyms

View more →

web browser internet browser client window-shopper looker onlooker

Antonyms

buyer purchaser grazer

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Rhymes for browser

Howser

See all rhymes for browser →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a browser and a search engine?

A browser is the program installed on your device that opens and displays web pages. A search engine, such as Google or Bing, is a website you visit inside that browser to look things up. You can change your search engine without changing your browser, and vice versa.

Is Google a browser?

Google Chrome is a browser; Google Search is a search engine. People often say 'Google' for both, but strictly the browser is Chrome and google.com is a site you open in it.

What does clearing your browser do?

Clearing your browser removes stored data such as cached files, cookies and history. It can fix pages that load incorrectly and free up space, but it also signs you out of sites and loses saved preferences.

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