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cursory

Cursory (adjective) – Meaning, Examples & Etymology

adjective

IPA:

/ˈkəːs(ə)ri/

What does cursory mean?

Done quickly and superficially, without careful attention to detail or thorough examination.
"She gave the visitor a cursory tour of the office."

Detailed Meaning of Cursory

When we characterize an action or review as cursory, we emphasize its brevity and lack of depth. A cursory glance, for instance, suggests a brief and hasty look that may not capture important details. Similarly, a cursory examination of a document or a topic implies a quick and surface-level review that does not involve a comprehensive analysis or in-depth exploration. This term conveys a sense of haste and minimal effort, suggesting that the subject is only dealt with in a perfunctory or superficial manner, without delving into the finer points or nuances.

Example Sentences for Cursory

1. The inspector gave the building a cursory examination and declared it safe, but the structural problems were missed.
2. He gave the report a cursory reading and missed the key points.
3. The teacher gave the students a cursory explanation of the material, assuming that they would be able to figure it out on their own.
4. The lawyer gave the contract a cursory review and missed the clause that would have caused problems later.
5. The doctor gave the patient a cursory examination and missed the signs of a serious illness.
6. He gave the instructions a cursory reading and ended up making a mistake.

Origin and Etymology of Cursory

The adjective 'cursory' derives its etymology from the Latin word 'cursus,' which means 'course' or 'running.' In its original Latin usage, 'cursus' referred to a course of action or a journey. Over time, it evolved to connote the idea of something done swiftly or rapidly, much like a quick journey. When 'cursory' made its way into English, it retained this sense of swiftness and speed. Thus, 'cursory' describes an action or examination that is done quickly and superficially, without careful attention to detail or thorough examination. Its etymology emphasizes the notion of something being done hastily, highlighting the lack of depth or thoroughness in the process.

Quiz Question - Test Your Understanding

Find the correct meaning of the adjective cursory:

thorough

careful

superficial

meticulous

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Correct!

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More Usage Examples of Cursory

1. The curator gave the paintings a cursory cleaning and missed the dirt that had accumulated in the corners.
2. She gave the proposal a cursory review and missed the errors that would have caused problems later.
3. The scientist gave the data a cursory analysis and missed the significant patterns.
4. He gave the instructions a cursory glance and ended up assembling the toy incorrectly.
5. The teacher gave the students a cursory overview of the material, assuming that they would be able to fill in the details on their own.
6. She gave the new employee a cursory introduction to the company and left him to figure out the rest on his own.
7. The lawyer gave the contract a cursory examination and missed the clause that would have caused problems later.
8. The doctor gave the patient a cursory examination and missed the signs of a serious illness.
9. He gave the report only a cursory glance before the meeting.
10. Her cursory review of the document missed critical errors.
11. A cursory inspection revealed minor flaws in the product.
12. The manager's cursory response left many questions unanswered.
13. A cursory search yielded no results in the vast library.
14. The detective's cursory interview left crucial leads unexplored.
15. His cursory knowledge of the subject was evident during the debate.
16. The journalist's cursory research led to inaccurate reporting.
17. She regretted her cursory preparation for the exam.
18. The contractor's cursory estimate failed to consider hidden costs.
19. A cursory evaluation of the proposal raised concerns.
20. The reviewer's cursory critique overlooked significant issues.
21. A cursory glance at the map indicated the wrong direction.
22. Their cursory conversation left lingering misunderstandings.
23. A cursory examination of the painting missed its true value.
24. The student's cursory editing left typos in the essay.