When you thumb through something, you quickly flip through its pages or contents. This action can be described by a number of synonyms such as "scan", "skim", "browse", "leaf", "flip", "glance", "flick" and "gaze". Each of these words convey a slightly different nuance or level of attention paid when going through the material. For instance, scanning implies a quick search for something specific, while browsing or leafing suggest a more leisurely exploration. Regardless of the synonym used, thumbing through a book, magazine or document is a common way of reviewing information without reading it in detail.