# browse

/ˈbɹaʊz/ (US) · /bɹˈaʊz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/browse
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to look through casually

verb · CEFR B1

to look through a shop, a book, or a collection of things without a specific plan.

For teachers: to inspect goods or information casually and at leisure, often without a predetermined purchase or search goal.

- I spent an hour browsing through the old books in the corner of the shop.
- While waiting for her appointment, she browsed through several lifestyle magazines in the reception area to pass the time.

### 2. to use the internet

verb · CEFR B1

to look at different websites or pages on the internet.

For teachers: to navigate through hyperlinked documents or web pages using a software application.

- He was browsing the web for a new pair of running shoes.
- The software allows users to browse the internal database securely without needing to download large files to their local machines.

### 3. animals eating plants

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

when animals like deer or goats eat leaves, twigs, and high plants.

For teachers: to feed on the tender shoots, twigs, and leaves of trees or shrubs rather than grass.

- We watched the deer browse on the low branches of the apple trees.
- Overpopulation of the local deer herd has led them to browse heavily on young saplings, preventing the forest from regenerating naturally.

Usage: Often distinguished from 'grazing', which refers specifically to eating grass.

### 4. an act of looking

noun · CEFR B2

a quick or casual look through something.

For teachers: an instance of browsing through a collection of items or information.

- I had a quick browse through the catalogue but didn't see anything I liked.
- A brief browse of the archives revealed several letters that had been previously overlooked by historians.

### 5. animal fodder

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

young branches and leaves that animals eat.

For teachers: the young shoots, twigs, and leaves of trees and shrubs that are suitable for animal feed.

- The farmer gathered fresh browse for the goats during the winter months.
- The availability of high-quality browse is a critical factor in the survival of moose populations during deep-snow winters.

## Examples

- I like to browse the local bookstore on Saturday mornings.
- While waiting for her flight, she spent an hour browsing the duty-free shops for a new perfume.
- The software allows users to browse through thousands of high-resolution images without needing to download each file individually, significantly reducing the time required for initial research.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.