cursory

adjective

cur·so·ry ˈkərs-rē How to pronounce cursory (audio)

ˈkər-sə-

: rapidly and often superficially performed or produced : hasty

a cursory glance

Only a cursory inspection of the building's electrical wiring was done.

cursorily

ˈkərs-rə-lē How to pronounce cursory (audio)

ˈkər-sə-

adverb

cursoriness

ˈkərs-rē-nəs How to pronounce cursory (audio)

ˈkər-sə-

noun

Did you know?

What Is the Difference Between cursory,superficial, and shallow?

Cursory and its synonyms superficial and shallow all mean "lacking in depth or care"—but these words are not used in exactly the same way in all cases. Cursory, which comes from the Latin verb currere ("to run"), implies speed and stresses a lack of attention to detail. While cursory suggests a lack of thoroughness, superficial implies a concern only with surface aspects or obvious features. An analysis of a problem might be labeled "superficial" if it considers only the obvious and fails to dig deeper into the issue. Shallow is more generally derogatory in implying lack of depth in knowledge, reasoning, emotions, or character, as in "insensitive and shallow comments."

Example Sentences

Only a cursory inspection of the building's electrical wiring was done. The mayor gave a cursory glance at the report. Even the most cursory look at the organization's records shows problems.

Recent Examples on the Web Some characters don’t even get a cursory introduction.

Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 2 Aug. 2022 This is of a piece with the Owenses’ apparent attitude toward Africans, as evidenced by eyewitnesses and even a cursory reading of their own writing.

Jeffrey Goldberg, The Atlantic, 11 July 2022 But the firm’s investigators were only allowed to do a cursory examination of machinery, the person said, and Binnall’s efforts to compel access to additional equipment were rejected by the judge in the case.

Amy Gardner, Washington Post, 15 Aug. 2022 But the firm’s investigators were only allowed to do a cursory examination of machinery, the person said, and Binnall’s efforts to compel access to additional equipment were rejected by the judge in the case.

Anchorage Daily News, 15 Aug. 2022 Identifying the favorites in college football for the upcoming 2022 campaign is easy with just a cursory glance at the preseason USA TODAY Sports AFCA coaches poll.

Eddie Timanus, USA TODAY, 8 Aug. 2022 This goes on all time, as even a cursory glance at cryptocurrency news feeds will confirm.

David G.w. Birch, Forbes, 3 Aug. 2022 Unfortunately, the film only takes a cursory, superficial glance at this societal malady, as if a deeper dive would harshen the mellow of its romantic comedy.

Odie Henderson, BostonGlobe.com, 12 July 2022 More than 97 percent of actively publishing climate scientists concur that anthropogenic temperature change is a reality, and challenges to that claim, while abundant, never stand up to even cursory examination.

Nick Scott, Robb Report, 5 Apr. 2022 See More

单词	cursorily
释义	cursory adjective cur·so·ry ˈkərs-rē ˈkər-sə- : rapidly and often superficially performed or produced : hasty a cursory glance Only a cursory inspection of the building's electrical wiring was done. cursorily ˈkərs-rə-lē ˈkər-sə- adverb cursoriness ˈkərs-rē-nəs ˈkər-sə- noun Did you know? What Is the Difference Between cursory,superficial, and shallow? Cursory and its synonyms superficial and shallow all mean "lacking in depth or care"—but these words are not used in exactly the same way in all cases. Cursory, which comes from the Latin verb currere ("to run"), implies speed and stresses a lack of attention to detail. While cursory suggests a lack of thoroughness, superficial implies a concern only with surface aspects or obvious features. An analysis of a problem might be labeled "superficial" if it considers only the obvious and fails to dig deeper into the issue. Shallow is more generally derogatory in implying lack of depth in knowledge, reasoning, emotions, or character, as in "insensitive and shallow comments." Synonyms drive-by flying gadarene hasty headlong helter-skelter hurried overhasty pell-mell precipitate precipitous rash rushed See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Only a cursory inspection of the building's electrical wiring was done. The mayor gave a cursory glance at the report. Even the most cursory look at the organization's records shows problems. Recent Examples on the Web Some characters don’t even get a cursory introduction. Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 2 Aug. 2022 This is of a piece with the Owenses’ apparent attitude toward Africans, as evidenced by eyewitnesses and even a cursory reading of their own writing. Jeffrey Goldberg, The Atlantic, 11 July 2022 But the firm’s investigators were only allowed to do a cursory examination of machinery, the person said, and Binnall’s efforts to compel access to additional equipment were rejected by the judge in the case. Amy Gardner, Washington Post, 15 Aug. 2022 But the firm’s investigators were only allowed to do a cursory examination of machinery, the person said, and Binnall’s efforts to compel access to additional equipment were rejected by the judge in the case. Anchorage Daily News, 15 Aug. 2022 Identifying the favorites in college football for the upcoming 2022 campaign is easy with just a cursory glance at the preseason USA TODAY Sports AFCA coaches poll. Eddie Timanus, USA TODAY, 8 Aug. 2022 This goes on all time, as even a cursory glance at cryptocurrency news feeds will confirm. David G.w. Birch, Forbes, 3 Aug. 2022 Unfortunately, the film only takes a cursory, superficial glance at this societal malady, as if a deeper dive would harshen the mellow of its romantic comedy. Odie Henderson, BostonGlobe.com, 12 July 2022 More than 97 percent of actively publishing climate scientists concur that anthropogenic temperature change is a reality, and challenges to that claim, while abundant, never stand up to even cursory examination. Nick Scott, Robb Report, 5 Apr. 2022 See More Word History Etymology borrowed from Medieval Latin cursōrius "of running, swift" (Late Latin in nominal derivatives, as cursōria "shoe for running"), adjectival derivative of Latin cursor "runner" — more at cursor First Known Use 1601, in the meaning defined above Kids Definition cursory adjective cur·so·ry ˈkərs-rē ˈkər-sə-rē : done or made quickly a cursory reply cursorily adverb as in hastily with excessive or careless speed cursorily glanced over the report before tossing it to one side Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance hastily hurriedly impulsively rashly precipitately precipitously hotfoot automatically abruptly glancingly impatiently haphazardly on the spur of the moment recklessly headlong thoughtlessly impetuously suddenly spontaneously offhandedly headily pell-mell headfirst offhand impromptu hotheadedly Antonyms & Near Antonyms deliberately circumspectly designedly tentatively hesitatingly hesitantly studiedly slowly haltingly calculatingly leisurely falteringly See More
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cursory

adjective

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Kids Definition

adjective

adverb