browse the web

Meaning

To spend time looking at different websites on the internet, often casually or without a specific goal. It is a standard, neutral expression used to describe general online searching or surfing.

Examples

• I spent the whole evening browsing the web for cheap flights.

  I spent the whole evening browsing the web for cheap flights.

• You shouldn't browse the web on your work computer.

  You shouldn't browse the web on your work computer.

• He likes to browse the web for news while having his morning coffee.

  He likes to browse the web for news while having his morning coffee.

• Is there a safe browser I can use to browse the web anonymously?

  Is there a safe browser I can use to browse the web anonymously?

• She was just browsing the web when she found the perfect gift.

  She was just browsing the web when she found the perfect gift.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I love to navigate the web in my free time.

  ✓ I love to browse the web in my free time.

  Many Romance language speakers translate the verb 'navigate' literally, but 'browse the web' or 'surf the internet' are much more natural in English.

• ✗ He is browsing on the web for a new car.

  ✓ He is browsing the web for a new car.

  You do not need the preposition 'on' after 'browse' when 'the web' is the direct object.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I usually ___ for a bit before going to sleep.

  💡 Look at different websites.

  Show answer

  browse the web

• You can use this app to safely ___ without being tracked.

  💡 Search or read online.

  Show answer

  browse the web