noun
perusal
puh-ROO-zl
Perusal (noun) means the act of reading or looking through something, especially in order to examine it. Example: “I enclose the draft contract for your perusal.”
noun
1
The act of reading or looking through something, especially in order to examine it.
"I enclose the draft contract for your perusal."
"A quick perusal of the accounts showed nothing unusual."
How to use perusal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHaving a read through something.
When to use it
Formal, most often in the set phrase 'for your perusal' in covering letters and emails.
Memory tip
'For your perusal' can sound stiff; 'for you to look over' is friendlier in ordinary email.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
for your perusal
careful perusal
a quick perusal
upon perusal
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I enclose the draft contract for your _____.
Etymology
From the verb peruse, of uncertain earlier origin, plus the noun suffix -al.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for perusal
See all rhymes for perusal →Frequently asked questions
Does perusal mean reading carefully or skimming?
Both are in use and dictionaries record both. The older sense is careful, thorough reading; the newer and now very common sense is a quick browse. Because the word is genuinely ambiguous, add 'careful' or 'quick' if the distinction matters.
What does 'for your perusal' mean in an email?
It means 'here is the document, please read it'. It is a formal, slightly old-fashioned way of attaching something for review, and usually implies no immediate action is required beyond reading.
Is perusal the same as review?
They overlap, but a review usually implies forming a judgement or giving feedback, while a perusal is just the reading itself. Sending something 'for your perusal' asks less of the reader than sending it 'for your review'.
What is the meaning of perusal?
"perusal" (noun) means the act of reading or looking through something, especially in order to examine it.
