cursory
4 synonyms and 3 antonyms for cursory, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Done quickly and without much attention to detail; hasty.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use cursory
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
cursory glance
cursory inspection
cursory review
Etymology
From Latin cursorius, "hasty, of running," from currere, "to run" — the same root as "curriculum" and "current."
Full origin of cursory →Frequently asked questions
What does “cursory” mean?
The word “cursory” means done quickly and without much attention to detail; hasty. In plain terms, quick and surface-level, rather than careful and thorough.
How do you pronounce “cursory”?
“Cursory” is pronounced KUR-suh-ree (/ˈkɝː.sə.ɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “cursory” in a sentence?
Here is “cursory” used in a sentence: “He gave the report only a cursory glance before signing it.”
What part of speech is “cursory”?
“Cursory” is an adjective.
Where does the word “cursory” come from?
The word “cursory” comes from Latin. From Latin cursorius, "hasty, of running," from currere, "to run" — the same root as "curriculum" and "current.".
