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

Some renowned retailers like MAC Cosmetics and Coco Village design landing pages that are easy to browse with good category and filtering options, making their shopping experience well-suited for BFCM. —Karan Sharma, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024

Saying goodbye On Sunday afternoon, Charlotte Burns browsed the swap meet while a man in a cowboy hat serenaded the crowd. —Rebecca Plevin, Los Angeles Times, 6 Dec. 2024

Noun

Typically, deer browse on branches less than 1 inch in diameter. —Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Nov. 2024

Here’s How to Grow an Easy Mushroom Food Plot Trees, Shrubs, and Weeds In fall, winter, and early spring, the browse category is mostly described as woody objects, such leaves, twigs, and protruding buds set to become leaves in coming weeks or months. —Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 12 Sep. 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