cursory
Cursory (adj) means Done quickly and without much attention to detail; hasty. Example: “He gave the report only a cursory glance before signing it.”
How to use cursory
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishQuick and surface-level, rather than careful and thorough.
Don't confuse with "cursive" (a style of joined handwriting) — they look similar but are unrelated.
Word forms
more cursory comparative, most cursory superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He gave the report only a _____ glance before signing it.
Etymology
From Latin cursorius, "hasty, of running," from currere, "to run" — the same root as "curriculum" and "current."
Rhymes for cursory
See all rhymes for 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.".
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