Cursory: meaning, definitions and examples
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cursory
[ˈkɜːrsəri ]
Definitions
quick examination
hasty and therefore not thorough or detailed
Synonyms
brief, perfunctory, superficial.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| cursory |
This word is often used when something is done quickly and without much attention to detail. It can imply a lack of thoroughness.
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| perfunctory |
This word is used to describe actions that are done as a formality or duty, often with little enthusiasm or interest. It carries a negative connotation.
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| superficial |
This term is used when referring to something that is only on the surface and lacks depth. It is often used in a negative sense to imply insufficiency or lack of thoroughness.
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| brief |
This term is typically used when emphasizing the short duration or concise nature of something. It does not necessarily imply a lack of detail or effort.
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Examples of usage
- He gave the report only a cursory glance before moving on to the next task.
- The police conducted a cursory search of the suspect's apartment.
quickly
in a quick and superficial way
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| cursory |
Use 'cursory' when describing something that is done quickly and without attention to detail.
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| casually |
Use 'casually' when describing something done in a relaxed or informal manner.
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| hastily |
Use 'hastily' when something is done quickly, often due to urgency, and may imply recklessness.
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| rapidly |
Use 'rapidly' when describing an action done very quickly or in a short period of time, often used for movements or changes.
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Examples of usage
- She skimmed the book cursorily to find the main points.
- He answered the questions cursorily without much thought.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- The word comes from the Latin term 'cursorius', which means 'running', emphasizing speed.
- It was first used in English around the early 17th century, reflecting the increasing pace of communication and work.
- The root of 'cursory' is 'currere', meaning 'to run', highlighting the idea of rapid action.
Psychology
- Research in cognitive psychology shows that people often skim content when they are overwhelmed by information.
- Looking over something briefly can lead to misunderstandings, as important details might be missed.
- Cursory reading can be related to attention span; shorter spans often lead to quicker, less detailed understanding.
Education
- In academic settings, cursory reading is sometimes used to initially assess the relevance of texts before in-depth study.
- Teachers often encourage students to recognize the difference between cursory and thorough reading, as both have their uses.
- Cursory assessments might be common in standardized testing, where time constraints limit detailed analysis.
Pop Culture
- In film and television, characters often demonstrate cursory views of situations, leading to humorous misunderstandings or plot twists.
- Many news articles today are consumed cursively, with audiences scanning headlines before diving into full stories.
- Social media trends encourage cursory reading, where likes and shares often matter more than the depth of content.
Literature
- Cursory descriptions in literature can create vivid imagery quickly, giving readers a fast sense of place or character.
- Some authors utilize cursory narratives as a style choice, leaving details to the reader's imagination.
- Many literary critiques emphasize the difference between cursory reading and critical analysis for deeper appreciation of texts.
Translations
Translations of the word "cursory" in other languages:
🇵🇹 superficial
🇮🇳 सतही
🇩🇪 oberflächlich
🇮🇩 sekilas
🇺🇦 поверхневий
🇵🇱 pobieżny
🇯🇵 表面的な
🇫🇷 superficiel
🇪🇸 superficial
🇹🇷 yüzeysel
🇰🇷 피상적인
🇸🇦 سَطْحِيّ
🇨🇿 povrchní
🇸🇰 povrchný
🇨🇳 肤浅的
🇸🇮 površen
🇮🇸 yfirborðskenndur
🇰🇿 жұқалама
🇬🇪 ზედაპირული
🇦🇿 səthi
🇲🇽 superficial