Top 31 Slang For Read – Meaning & Usage

When it comes to discussing books, articles, or any form of written material, there’s a whole new world of slang that can make any bookworm’s heart skip a beat. Curious about the latest lingo for all things reading-related? Look no further! We’ve put together a list of the trendiest and most fun slang for read that will have you feeling like a literary pro in no time. So grab your favorite book and get ready to dive into this linguistic adventure!

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1. Hit the books

This phrase is used to describe the act of studying or reading books with great focus and dedication.

For example, a student might say, “I have a big exam tomorrow, so I need to hit the books tonight.”
Someone might advise a friend, “If you want to improve your grades, you need to hit the books more often.”
A parent might encourage their child, “Don’t forget to hit the books before the test.”

2. Flip through

This slang term refers to the act of quickly flipping through the pages of a book or magazine without reading everything in detail.

For instance, a person might say, “I don’t have time to read the whole article, so I’ll just flip through it.”
When looking for a specific section in a book, someone might say, “Let me flip through the pages and find the chapter you’re looking for.”
A student might mention, “I usually flip through my textbook before class to get an idea of what we’ll be learning.”

3. Dive into

This phrase is used to describe the act of immersing oneself in a book or text, often with great enthusiasm or interest.

For example, a book lover might say, “I can’t wait to dive into this new novel.”
When starting a new book, someone might say, “I’m going to dive into this and see where the story takes me.”
A teacher might encourage their students, “Don’t be afraid to dive into the material and ask questions if you don’t understand.”

4. Skim

Skimming refers to the act of quickly looking over the text, reading only the main points or important information without going into detail.

For instance, a person might say, “I don’t have time to read the whole article, so I’ll just skim it for now.”
When reviewing a long document, someone might mention, “I’ll skim through the pages and see if there’s anything relevant to my research.”
A student might say, “I usually skim the textbook before class to get a general idea of the topics we’ll be covering.”

5. Peruse

Peruse means to read or examine something in a relaxed or leisurely manner, often with the intention of enjoying or appreciating the content.

For example, a person might say, “I like to peruse the newspaper every morning while having my coffee.”
When browsing a bookstore, someone might mention, “I like to peruse the shelves and see if any books catch my eye.”
A reader might say, “I enjoy perusing different genres and discovering new authors.”

6. Devour

To devour a book means to read it eagerly and quickly, often with great enthusiasm or interest.

For example, “I couldn’t put down that thriller novel – I devoured it in just one weekend.”
A book lover might say, “I love finding a new series and devouring all the books in a matter of days.”
Someone might recommend a captivating novel by saying, “It’s so good, you’ll devour it in one sitting.”

7. Leaf through

To leaf through a book means to quickly skim or browse through its pages, usually without reading every word.

For instance, “I leafed through the magazine while waiting for my appointment.”
A student might say, “I don’t have time to read the entire textbook, so I’ll just leaf through the chapters.”
Someone might suggest, “If you’re looking for a quick read, you can just leaf through this collection of short stories.”

8. Scan

To scan a text means to quickly glance over or examine it, often to find specific information or get a general sense of its contents.

For example, “I scanned the newspaper headlines to see if there were any interesting articles.”
A student might say, “I scanned the textbook before the exam to refresh my memory on key topics.”
Someone might advise, “Instead of reading every word, try scanning the document to get a sense of its main points.”

9. Absorb

To absorb a text means to take in and understand it fully, often by paying close attention and engaging with the material.

For instance, “I was so absorbed in the novel that I lost track of time.”
A reader might say, “I love getting absorbed in a good book and feeling like I’m part of the story.”
Someone might recommend a thought-provoking article by saying, “It’s worth reading slowly and really absorbing the author’s ideas.”

10. Go over

To go over a text means to review or examine it again, often to ensure understanding or refresh one’s memory.

For example, “I need to go over my notes before the test to make sure I remember everything.”
A student might say, “I went over the textbook chapter multiple times to fully grasp the concepts.”
Someone might suggest, “If you’re not sure about something, it’s always a good idea to go over the instructions one more time.”

11. Take in

To read or understand information.

For example, “I need some time to take in all the details of this report.”
A student might say, “I can’t take in all this information before the exam.”
Someone might ask, “Did you take in the latest news about the election?”

12. Run through

To read something quickly or briefly.

For instance, “I’ll just run through this article to get the main points.”
A person might say, “I ran through the book before the book club meeting.”
Someone might ask, “Can you run through the instructions one more time?”

13. Look over

To read or examine something briefly or casually.

For example, “I’ll look over the document and give you my feedback.”
A teacher might say, “Make sure to look over your notes before the test.”
Someone might suggest, “Let’s look over the agenda for the meeting.”

14. Gobble up

To read something quickly and enthusiastically.

For instance, “I couldn’t put the book down, I gobbled it up in one sitting.”
A person might say, “I love this author’s books, I always gobble them up.”
Someone might ask, “Have you gobbled up the latest issue of that magazine yet?”

15. Glimpse

To quickly read or see something.

For example, “I only had a glimpse of the headline as I walked by.”
A person might say, “I glimpsed at the article, but I didn’t have time to read it.”
Someone might ask, “Did you get a glimpse of the new book that just came out?”

16. Browse

To quickly look through or read something without diving deep into the details. “Browse” often implies a casual or cursory reading.

For example, “I didn’t have time to read the whole article, so I just browsed through it.”
A person might say, “I like to browse through fashion magazines to get inspiration.”
In a discussion about research, someone might mention, “I usually browse through multiple sources before diving deeper into a topic.”

17. Investigate

To thoroughly examine or research a topic or issue. “Investigate” implies a more detailed and systematic approach to reading or gathering information.

For instance, “I need to investigate further before making a decision.”
In a crime novel, a detective might say, “I have to investigate this case to uncover the truth.”
A journalist might mention, “I spent months investigating the corruption scandal.”

18. Examine

To carefully analyze or inspect something in detail. “Examine” suggests a focused and critical reading.

For example, “The doctor needs to examine the patient’s medical records.”
In a scientific experiment, a researcher might say, “We need to examine the data to draw meaningful conclusions.”
A teacher might ask students to “examine the text closely for literary devices.”

19. Go through

To read or look through something, often in a thorough or systematic manner. “Go through” implies a comprehensive reading or examination.

For instance, “I need to go through all the documents before the meeting.”
A person might say, “I went through the entire book in one sitting.”
In a discussion about a long report, someone might mention, “I’ll go through it carefully and provide feedback.”

20. Digest

To take in and understand information through reading. “Digest” suggests a process of mentally processing and comprehending the material.

For example, “It takes time to digest complex scientific concepts.”
A student might say, “I need some time to digest the information from the lecture.”
In a book review, someone might mention, “The author’s ideas are challenging to digest, but worth the effort.”

21. Glance

To take a quick look at something, usually without spending much time or attention on it.

For example, “I glanced at the newspaper headlines while waiting for my coffee.”
In a meeting, someone might say, “Can you glance over this report and give me your initial thoughts?”
A teacher might instruct a student, “Glance through the chapter before we start discussing it in class.”

22. Study

To carefully examine or analyze something in order to gain knowledge or understanding.

For instance, “I need to study for my biology exam tomorrow.”
A student might say, “I’ve been studying this math problem for hours and still can’t figure it out.”
A researcher might explain, “We conducted a study to determine the effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive function.”

23. Review

To assess or evaluate something, often by looking it over again or going through it in detail.

For example, “I need to review my notes before the test.”
A customer might write, “I want to leave a review of this product to help others make an informed decision.”
A movie critic might say, “I’m going to watch the film again to write a thorough review.”

24. Explore

To investigate or delve into something in order to learn more about it or discover new information.

For instance, “I want to explore different career options before making a decision.”
A traveler might say, “I love to explore new cities and immerse myself in the local culture.”
A scientist might explain, “We are exploring the effects of climate change on marine biodiversity.”

25. Pore over

To examine something carefully and in detail, often by reading it closely or studying it intently.

For example, “She spent hours poring over the research papers to find relevant information.”
A student might say, “I need to pore over this textbook to understand the concepts.”
A writer might explain, “I always pore over my work before submitting it to ensure it’s error-free.”

26. Dip into

To read a small portion of a book or text without fully committing to reading the entire thing. This phrase implies a casual or brief reading experience.

For example, “I decided to dip into the book to see if it caught my interest.”
A reader might say, “I like to dip into different genres to expand my reading horizons.”
Someone might recommend a book by saying, “You should dip into this author’s works for a taste of their writing style.”

27. Glean

To gather or extract information from a text or source through careful reading or analysis. This word suggests the act of finding valuable or useful information from a larger body of text.

For instance, “I was able to glean some interesting facts from that article.”
A student might say, “I spent hours gleaning information from various sources for my research paper.”
Someone might advise, “To fully understand the topic, you’ll need to glean information from multiple perspectives.”

28. Scrutinize

To examine or inspect something, such as a book or text, in a thorough and detailed manner. This word implies a careful and critical analysis of the material.

For example, “She scrutinized each word in the contract before signing.”
A literature professor might say, “We will scrutinize the symbolism in this novel to uncover deeper meanings.”
A book reviewer might mention, “I always scrutinize the plot development and character arcs in the books I review.”

29. Dive into a book

To fully engage and immerse oneself in reading a book. This phrase suggests a deep level of involvement and enjoyment in the reading experience.

For instance, “I can’t wait to dive into this new fantasy novel.”
A reader might say, “When I’m stressed, I dive into a book to escape reality.”
Someone might recommend a book by saying, “This story is so captivating, you’ll want to dive into it and never resurface.”

30. Plow through

To read a book or text quickly and with determination, often to finish it as quickly as possible. This phrase implies a sense of urgency or a desire to complete the reading.

For example, “I had to plow through the assigned reading to meet the deadline.”
A reader might say, “Once I start a gripping thriller, I can’t stop until I’ve plowed through it.”
Someone might mention, “I plowed through all seven books in the series over the weekend.”

31. Chew on

This phrase means to ponder or contemplate something. It suggests taking time to carefully think through and analyze a particular topic or idea.

For example, “I need some time to chew on this proposal before making a decision.”
In a discussion about a complex issue, someone might say, “There’s a lot to chew on here. Let’s break it down.”
A teacher might tell their students, “Take this article home and chew on the ideas presented. We’ll discuss it tomorrow in class.”