perread

Perread is a term with no widely recognized definition in major dictionaries or scholarly references. It appears primarily in informal online discussions and as a proposed neologism in the fields of reading research and digital literacy. The etymology is uncertain; the form suggests a blend of the prefix per- (through, thoroughly) with read, possibly signaling an approach to reading that is thorough, preparatory, or anticipatory. Because of its informal status, definitions vary.

In speculative uses, perread has been described as a possible reading strategy. Some commentators suggest it denotes a process of scanning headings, abstracts, or summaries to anticipate arguments before engaging with the full text. Others have proposed it to refer to reading conducted in tandem with machine-produced summaries or annotations, with the reader cross-checking material in real time. A related idea is a cognitive approach that integrates expectations formed from prior knowledge with textual cues to guide in-depth reading.

Because perread is not standardized, practitioners may assign different constraints or goals to the term depending on their field or discussion. At present, it is considered informal and experimental rather than a conventional term in literacy studies. The lack of a single, accepted definition means usage tends to be context-dependent and evolving as discussions about reading practices continue. Related concepts include reading, skimming, pre-reading, and other strategies aimed at efficient or strategic engagement with texts.