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to browse the internet

to browse the internet

1 2.3
To look through web pages on the internet for information or fun
  • phrasal verb
  • /braʊz ði ˈɪntərˌnɛt/
  • Texting
translation icon : navegar por internet
  • Whenever I have free time, I like to browse the internet for interesting articles and videos.

Midwits are people who browse the Internet in in predictable ways.

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Examples

  • There is even a dedicated section for Christmas-themed presents, allowing you to browse the internet for the perfect secret Santa gift and the ideal stocking fillers.

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  • Tunnel Bear is the simple to use VPN app that makes it easy to browse the Internet privately and enjoy a more open Internet.

  • This includes how often you talk on the phone, send text messages, check your email, and browse the internet on your mobile device.

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  • So kindly I ask you to please leave me alone and let me browse the Internet in peace.

  • I just finished reading New Moon today and was browsing the internet trying to find some reviews of the books and movies.

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  • Years ago, while browsing the internet, I came across an interesting blog.

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  • So I'm going to be using the MacBook to do regular stuff like browse the Internet, just do everyday things.

  • In fact, if you have a wireless router at your home, you can still browse the internet on your smartphone without utilizing your data plan.

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  • So I was doing what I do, browsing the Internet, getting ready to buy some stuff, and I found a bunch of VHS types I really liked on this cool site called Retrospect.

  • The typical smartphone owner spends more than 2 hours per day using their phone, and they spend two-thirds of that time browsing the internet, social networking, playing games, listening to music, or watching shows and movies.

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Synonyms

to browse
vsto browse the internet
95 2.8

To look through shops or websites without planning to buy

is more about casually searching online information rather than in physical shops
to surf
vsto browse the internet
  • Texting
43 2.7

To look around online or through TV channels

is about casual searching of online content rather than varied channel looking

How Thorough

research
3.4
search
1.0
to browse the internet
  • Texting
1 2.3
skimming
1 2.9

Surface Forms

browse the internet infinitive

Morphology

browse + the + Internet

The meaning 'to look through or search information on the internet casually' is directly and compositionally derived from 'browse' (to glance through casually) + 'Internet' (the global network); the definite article 'the' is only a grammatical marker and does not alter meaning. This construction mirrors equivalent patterns in many languages, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents will readily understand the MWE.

Etymology

Browse the internet comes from the word browse, which first meant an animal eating small leaves or a person casually looking around a shop. So, browse the internet gives the image of moving through web pages without a plan and means 'to look through online content in a casual, relaxed way'.