Perusal vs. Reference — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on December 23, 2023
Perusal is the action of reading or examining something carefully. Reference is the act of mentioning or alluding to something, or a source used for information.
Difference Between Perusal and Reference
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Perusal involves a thorough or careful examination of a document or text, often for understanding or enjoyment. Reference usually means citing or consulting a source for specific information or evidence.
While perusal suggests a detailed and attentive reading, reference implies using a source to obtain or provide specific information, often without thorough reading.
Perusal is typically a personal activity, where one reads or examines something closely. In contrast, reference can be an action (referring to something) or an object (a reference book or material).
One might engage in the perusal of a novel for pleasure, whereas reference is used in academic or professional contexts, like referencing a study in a research paper.
Perusal often denotes leisure or detailed reading, while reference is associated with the quick lookup of specific facts or data.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Reading or examining thoroughly
Mentioning or using as a source
Purpose
Understanding or enjoyment
Obtaining specific information
Context
Personal, often leisurely
Academic, professional, informational
Action/Object
Action (the act of reading)
Both an action and an object
Typical Use
Reading books, documents for detail
Citing sources, looking up facts
Compare with Definitions
Perusal
The act of reading in detail.
She offered the manuscript for my perusal.
Reference
Citing or mentioning for information.
The study was used as a reference in the paper.
Perusal
Careful reading or examination.
The document requires your thorough perusal.
Reference
Using a source for specific details.
He made reference to the article during his speech.
Perusal
Studying something carefully.
His perusal of the archives took several hours.
Reference
A source of information or evidence.
This encyclopedia is a good reference for historians.
Perusal
Examining with attention to detail.
The contract is under perusal by the lawyer.
Reference
A mention or allusion.
Her novel made several references to real events.
Perusal
Reading or reviewing with focus.
For her perusal, the report was detailed and clear.
Reference
Material used for consultation.
The library's reference section is extensive.
Perusal
To read or examine, typically with great care.
Reference
Reference is a relationship between objects in which one object designates, or acts as a means by which to connect to or link to, another object. The first object in this relation is said to refer to the second object.
Perusal
Usage Problem To glance over; skim.
Reference
The act of referring to something
Filed away the article for future reference.
Perusal
The act of perusing; studying something carefully.
Reference
Significance for a specified matter; relation or relationship
Her speeches have special reference to environmental policy.
Perusal
The act of carefully viewing or examining.
Reference
Meaning or denotation
The reference of the word “lion” is to a kind of wild cat.
Perusal
The act of reading, especially of reading through or with care.
Reference
A mention of an occurrence or situation
Made frequent references to her promotion.
Perusal
Reading carefully with intent to remember
Reference
A note in a publication referring the reader to another passage or source.
Reference
The passage or source so referred to.
Reference
A work frequently used as a source.
Reference
A mark or footnote used to direct a reader elsewhere for additional information.
Reference
Submission of a case to a referee.
Reference
Legal proceedings conducted before or by a referee.
Reference
A person who recommends another or who can vouch for another's fitness or qualifications, as for a job.
Reference
A statement about a person's qualifications, character, and dependability.
Reference
To supply (a text) with references
The author hadn't adequately referenced the third chapter, so the copyeditor suggested adding more citations. This article is thoroughly referenced with up-to-date sources.
Reference
To cite as a reference
The monograph doesn't reference any peer-reviewed articles.
Reference
Usage Problem To mention or allude to
The comedian's monologue referenced many Hollywood stars.
Reference
A relationship or relation (to something).
Reference
A measurement one can compare (some other measurement) to.
Reference
Information about a person, provided by someone (a referee) with whom they are well acquainted.
Reference
A person who provides this information; onlyn in UK English: a referee.
Reference
A reference work.
Reference
(attributive) That which serves as a reference work.
Reference Dictionary of Linguistics
Reference
The act of referring: a submitting for information or decision.
Reference
(semantics) A relation between objects in which one object designates, or acts as a means by which to connect to or link to, another object.
Reference
(academic writing) A short written identification of a previously published work which is used as a source for a text.
Reference
(academic writing) A previously published written work thus indicated; a source.
Reference
(computing) An object containing information which refers to data stored elsewhere, as opposed to containing the data itself.
Reference
A special sequence used to represent complex characters in markup languages, such as
™ for the ™ symbol.Reference
(obsolete) Appeal.
Reference
To provide a list of references for (a text).
You must thoroughly reference your paper before submitting it.
Reference
To refer to, to use as a reference.
Reference the dictionary for word meanings.
Reference
To mention, to cite.
In his speech, the candidate obliquely referenced the past failures of his opponent.
Reference
(programming) To contain the value that is a memory address of some value stored in memory.
The given pointer will reference the actual generated data.
Reference
The act of referring, or the state of being referred; as, reference to a chart for guidance.
Reference
That which refers to something; a specific direction of the attention; as, a reference in a text-book.
Reference
Relation; regard; respect.
Something that hath a reference to my state.
Reference
One who, or that which, is referred to.
Reference
The act of submitting a matter in dispute to the judgment of one or more persons for decision.
Reference
Appeal.
Reference
A remark that calls attention to something or someone;
She made frequent mention of her promotion
There was no mention of it
The speaker made several references to his wife
Reference
A short note recognizing a source of information or of a quoted passage;
The student's essay failed to list several important citations
The acknowledgments are usually printed at the front of a book
The article includes mention of similar clinical cases
Reference
An indicator that orients you generally;
It is used as a reference for comparing the heating and the electrical energy involved
Reference
A book to which you can refer for authoritative facts;
He contributed articles to the basic reference work on that topic
Reference
A formal recommendation by a former employer to a potential future employer describing the person's qualifications and dependability;
Requests for character references are all to often answered evasively
Reference
The most direct or specific meaning of a word or expression; the class of objects that an expression refers to;
The extension of `satellite of Mars' is the set containing only Demos and Phobos
Reference
The act of referring or consulting;
Reference to an encyclopedia produced the answer
Reference
A publication (or a passage from a publication) that is referred to;
He carried an armful of references back to his desk
He spent hours looking for the source of that quotation
Reference
The relation between a word or phrase and the object or idea it refers to;
He argued that reference is a consequence of conditioned reflexes
Reference
Refer to;
He referenced his colleagues' work
Common Curiosities
Can perusal be for enjoyment?
Yes, perusal can be for both enjoyment and information.
Are references used in academic writing?
Yes, references are crucial in academic writing for credibility.
Is perusal always for printed materials?
No, it can apply to digital materials as well.
Is a reference always factual?
References are typically factual, but they can also be opinion-based.
Does perusal always lead to comprehension?
Not always, but it aims to aid in comprehension.
Is perusal similar to skimming?
No, perusal is more thorough than skimming.
Can reference be a person?
Yes, a person can be a reference for someone's character or abilities.
Is perusal a formal activity?
It can be both formal and informal, depending on context.
Can reference books be taken out of a library?
Often, reference books are only for in-library use.
Can reference be a verbal mention?
Yes, reference can be made verbally or in writing.
Does perusal require a lot of time?
It often involves thorough reading, which can take time.
Does perusal imply understanding?
It implies an attempt to understand, though not always successful.
Are online sources good for reference?
Yes, if they are credible and relevant.
Can I reference a conversation?
Yes, conversations can be referenced if relevant.
Is perusal necessary for research?
Perusal of relevant materials is often crucial in research.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
