1 B1 neutral
To turn the pages of a book or magazine casually, looking without reading carefully.
"While waiting for her appointment, she leafed through an old magazine."
inseparable
leaf through
B1 neutral inseparable transitive
To turn the pages of a book, magazine, or document casually without reading it thoroughly.
In plain English
Quickly flip through the pages of a book or magazine without reading it carefully.
What does "leaf through" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To turn through (the leaves/pages) of a book — 'leaf' is an old word for a page.
Actually means
Quickly flip through the pages of a book or magazine without reading it carefully.
Usage tip
Refers to the physical act of turning pages. Used when someone is looking at a publication without focused reading — for example, in a waiting room or bookshop. 'Flick through' is a close and very common synonym.
Words that pair with "leaf through"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
magazine book catalogue report album newspaper
How to conjugate "leaf through"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
leaf through
I/you/we/they
3rd person
leafs through
he/she/it
Past simple
leafed through
yesterday
Past participle
leafed through
have + pp
-ing form
leafing through
continuous
Hear "leaf through" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "leaf through" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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