cursory
cursory
Pronunciation
/ˈkɜːrsəri/
cur: /kɜːr/ - This syllable contains a consonant sound /k/, a stressed vowel sound /ɜː/, and a consonant sound /r/.
so: /sə/ - This syllable contains a consonant sound /s/ and an unstressed schwa vowel sound /ə/.
ry: /ri/ - This syllable contains a consonant sound /r/ and the vowel sound /i/.
Word Form Variations
"Cursory" itself doesn't have typical singular/plural variations like a noun. It's an adjective, so it modifies nouns. Adjectives in English don't generally change form for singular or plural nouns. You wouldn't say "cursories glances." You would say "cursory glances."
However, there are related words that do have variations:
curse (noun): curse, curses (plural)
cursing (verb, present participle/gerund): This form is used in verb tenses and also can function as a noun (gerund). It doesn't have a plural form when used as a verb, but as a gerund it is treated as a singular noun. For example, "The constant cursing was disruptive."
cursed (verb, past participle/adjective): This form is used in perfect verb tenses and can also function as an adjective. As an adjective, it doesn't have a plural form. For example, "The cursed treasure."
cursor (noun): cursor, cursors (plural) - This word is unrelated in meaning but shares a similar sound.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective:
Definition: Hasty and superficial; performed or done rapidly and with little attention to detail; lacking thoroughness or depth.
Synonyms: Perfunctory, superficial, hasty, hurried, brief, quick, glancing, skimming, shallow, slight.
Antonyms: Thorough, detailed, comprehensive, meticulous, painstaking, in-depth, extensive, careful, attentive, exhaustive.
Example Sentence: He gave the proposal only a cursory glance before dismissing it.
Examples of Use
Literature: "He gave the room a cursory inspection, noting the dust on the mantelpiece and the general air of neglect." (This is a fictional example, as citing a specific book would require knowing a specific book that uses it in this manner, but it represents typical literary usage.) Often, you'll find "cursory" used in descriptions to convey a sense of haste or lack of attention.
News/Online Publications: "The report offered only a cursory analysis of the economic impact, leaving many questions unanswered." (Again, a generalized example reflecting typical news writing. Specific news articles are constantly being published using "cursory" so a current one would be easy to find with a news aggregator.) News reporting often uses "cursory" to describe investigations, reviews, or summaries that lack depth.
Academic Writing (Hypothetical): "A cursory review of the literature reveals a gap in current research on this topic." (This illustrates how it might be used in an academic context. Again, a specific citation would require searching academic databases, but this is representative of the usage.)
Entertainment/Film/TV (Hypothetical): "The detective gave the suspect a cursory once-over, noticing the nervous twitch in his eye." (This is a fictional example demonstrating how "cursory" might be used in dialogue or narration in a film or TV show. It's a common word used to describe quick observations or actions.)
General Public Discourse (Online Forums/Social Media): "I only gave the article a cursory read, but it seems pretty biased." (This is a realistic example of how someone might use "cursory" in an online discussion. Social media and forums are full of such casual uses of the word.)
10 Famous Quotes Using Cursory
“Great decisions cannot come from a cursory glance at the truth.” (Unknown)
“My mentor said a cursory effort builds nothing worth keeping.” (Unknown)
“History warns that cursory leadership invites lasting damage.” (Unknown)
“A poet wrote that love fades when treated with cursory attention.” (Unknown)
“Injustice thrives when investigation is cursory and accountability is absent.” (Unknown)
“Success demands depth; a cursory plan collapses under pressure.” (Unknown)
“Revolutions erupt when governments offer cursory solutions to deep wounds.” (Unknown)
“A leader must see beyond the cursory to understand the real need.” (Unknown)
“Self-reflection cannot be cursory if growth is the goal.” (Unknown)
“Hope weakens when treated cursory, but strengthens with care.” (Unknown)
Etymology
"Cursory" comes from the Latin word cursor, which meant "runner." Think of someone who runs quickly—that gives you a good starting point. Cursor itself comes from the verb currere, meaning "to run."
So, the core idea is "running." But how does "running" relate to "cursory," meaning hasty and superficial? Imagine someone running through a task. They wouldn't have time to pay close attention to details; they'd be moving quickly and only doing the bare minimum. This is the connection. A "cursory" action is like a quick run-through; it lacks depth and thoroughness.
The first known use of "cursory" in English (according to etymological resources) was in the mid-16th century. It entered the language directly from the Latin cursor and retained the sense of something done rapidly or hastily. The meaning has stayed pretty consistent over the centuries. It has always carried the connotation of speed and a lack of attention to detail.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Cursory
Idioms with synonyms (for similar effect):
Since it's hard to make idioms with "cursory" itself, we can look at synonyms like "hasty" or "superficial" to see how those words are used:
Hasty: "Haste makes waste" (idiom emphasizing the negative consequences of rushing). "Act in haste, repent at leisure" (similar meaning).
Superficial: "Beauty is only skin deep" (idiom about superficial appearances).
Original phrases mimicking idioms:
"A cursory effort is a seed sown on barren ground" (original phrase comparing a superficial attempt to something fruitless).
"Don't let a cursory understanding be the thief of true knowledge" (original phrase warning against superficial learning).
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of cursory from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
