cursory

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "cursory" is correct and usable in written English.
You use it to describe something that is done quickly, without much attention to detail. For example: "James gave the report a cursory glance, not even reading its contents thoroughly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He who gives nothing to the media but a cursory nod, performed the gig quietly on Sunday in front of Wikingsson and eight cameras.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I had only intended to give it a cursory scan, but three hours later I was still there, unable to consign anything to the bin.

The Guardian

But however effective it is as a piece of cinema, even a cursory look into the film's backstory – and particularly the public reaction to its release – raises disturbing questions about which stories we choose to codify into truth, and whose, and why, and the messy social costs of transmogrifying real life into entertainment.

The Guardian - Opinion

Elsewhere, the wilderness still rules, and a cursory glance at a map reveals that Argentinian Patagonia is mainly empty spaces and ranching country, while Chilean Patagonia is a collage of islands, inlets and labyrinthine channels.

The Guardian - Travel

In my mind though, the wider question is not whether or not Lily Allen's feminist song is a success or not; it's why is it that one single music video containing some fairly cursory observations on sexism is able to stir up such a reaction in the feminist movement.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yet it's clear from even the most cursory reading – or even not reading and just looking at the pictures – that the earlier autobiographies were intended as fantasy-pornography rather than strictly documentary material.

The Guardian - Film

Additionally, audits are cursory, incomplete, and easily fooled by fake justifications.

The Guardian

Yet even a cursory reading of the workings of this bill demonstrates that it goes against each of these goods.

The Guardian - Opinion

Even a cursory look at Queensland's weather patterns near the Reef over the past decade would show that severe weather, including tropical cyclones and flooding, is a regular occurrence, even if you disregard massively destructive events like Cyclone Yasi.

The Guardian

Their ostensible grasps at scientific credibility crumble upon even a cursory inspection, and their odious arguments, bereft of facts, should not be allowed set the tone of the conversation.

The Guardian

Not sufficiently so however not to pitch up and find covers on, a bit of cursory mopping going, and the umpires chatting away to Jack Birkenshaw, wearing his Brit tracksuit, a legacy from his time as a coach to the England Women no doubt.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cursory" when you want to emphasize that an action or examination was done quickly and without much attention to detail. This is especially useful when pointing out potential oversights or lack of thoroughness.

Common error

Avoid using "cursory" when you simply mean something is casual or informal. "Cursory" implies a lack of thoroughness, while "casual" suggests a relaxed approach. For example, a "cursory" glance suggests something was missed, while a "casual" glance is simply a relaxed observation.

Linguistic Context

The word "cursory" functions primarily as an adjective. It modifies nouns to indicate that something is done rapidly and lacks thoroughness or detail, as shown by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "cursory" is an adjective used to describe something done quickly and without thorough attention to detail. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage, particularly in news and media, as well as formal and business contexts. Related terms include "perfunctory", "superficial", and "hasty", offering slightly different nuances. When using "cursory", ensure you intend to convey a lack of thoroughness, distinguishing it from simply being "casual". This word choice can subtly express criticism or highlight potential oversights.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perfunctory

Similar meaning, but slightly more formal and emphasizes a lack of genuine interest or effort.

superficial

Focuses on the lack of depth or thoroughness, highlighting the surface-level nature of the action.

hasty

Emphasizes the speed and rush involved, suggesting a lack of careful consideration.

quick

A more general term indicating speed, but can imply a lack of detail.

brief

Highlights the shortness of the action or examination.

casual

Suggests a relaxed and informal approach, often implying a lack of seriousness.

passing

Implies a fleeting or momentary action, lacking depth or duration.

fleeting

Similar to passing, but emphasizes the brief and transient nature of the action.

negligent

Highlights a lack of due care or attention, suggesting a failure to fulfill a responsibility.

sketchy

Suggests incompleteness or a lack of thoroughness, often implying a lack of detail or precision.

FAQs

How can I use "cursory" in a sentence?

You can use "cursory" to describe an action done quickly and without much attention to detail. For example: "The inspector gave the building a "cursory" examination, missing several critical structural flaws."

What are some alternatives to the word "cursory"?

Some alternatives to "cursory" include "perfunctory", "superficial", or "hasty". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "cursory" in formal writing?

Yes, "cursory" is appropriate for formal writing when you need to describe something as being done quickly and without thoroughness. It's commonly used in news articles, reports, and academic papers.

What does a "cursory" review imply?

A "cursory" review implies that the review was done quickly and without great attention to detail. It suggests that the reviewer may have missed important information or failed to analyze the subject matter in depth.