WordValecursory
hasty and not thorough
In more detail
1. (adjective) done quickly without much care or attention to detail
Examples
- 1. He gave the report only a cursory glance before the meeting.
How to use cursory
Cursory describes something done with speed at the expense of care or depth. It often carries a slightly negative implication—that insufficient attention has been paid—and is commonly used in professional, academic, or formal contexts when someone dismisses work as inadequate.
Common phrases
- cursory examination
- cursory glance
- cursory review
- cursory inspection
- cursory reading
Synonyms
perfunctory · superficial · hasty · desultory · casual
Opposites
thorough · meticulous · detailed
Word family
cursorily (adverb) · cursorship (noun, rare)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse cursory with courtesy or cursor; remember it comes from Latin cursus (running), suggesting hurried movement rather than politeness or a computer tool.
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