browse

1 of 2

verb

ˈbrau̇z 

browsed; browsing

transitive verb

1

a

of an animal : to eat (tender shoots, twigs, leaves of trees and shrubs, etc.) : to consume as browse (see browse entry 2 sense 1)

browsing thistles

b

: graze

2

: to look over casually : skim

browsing the want ads

3

computers : to access (a network) by means of a browser

intransitive verb

1

a

of an animal : to feed on or as if on tender shoots, twigs, and leaves of trees and shrubs : to feed on or as if on browse

b

: graze

cows browsing in the pasture

2

a

: to skim through a book reading passages that catch the eye

b

: to look over or through an aggregate of things casually especially in search of something of interest

browsing through the store's magazine section

browsable

ˈbrau̇-zə-bəl 

adjective

browse

2 of 2

noun

1

: tender shoots, twigs, and leaves of trees and shrubs used by animals for food

2

: an act or instance of browsing

a quick browse through the want ads

Synonyms

Verb

• forage
• graze
• pasture
• rustle

Examples of browse in a Sentence

Verb

Several customers were browsing in the bookstore.

He was browsing the want ads in the newspaper.

cows browsing in the pasture

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Travelers can browse a range of options on sites like Viator or ResortPass, which Guthrie said can be more diverse than what the cruise line offers. —Nathan Diller, USA TODAY, 4 Nov. 2024

Deer typically are most active and browsing at dusk and right before sunrise, says Mengak. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2024

Noun

With a predilection for anything mid-century, Recycling Retro in Woolwich is a must-stop for a quick browse. —Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 11 Sep. 2024

Around six years ago, the hip-hop legend stumbled upon the website—and after several clicks, what began as a casual browse turned into something more intentional. —Elise Taylor, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English brouusen, probably from Anglo-French brouts browse entry 2

Noun

probably modification of Anglo-French brouts, plural of brout sprout, of Germanic origin; akin to Old Saxon brustian to sprout, and perhaps to Old English brēost breast — more at breast

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

1523, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

browse

1 of 2 verb

ˈbrau̇z 

browsed; browsing

1

: to nibble or feed on leaves and shoots

2

: to read or look over something in a light or careless way

browse

2 of 2 noun

1

: tender shoots and leaves used by animals for food

2

: an act or instance of browsing