Cursory — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈkər-sə-rē/ cur·so·ry

Meaning & Definition of Cursory

Cursory (adjective)

  1. rapidly and often superficially performed or produced, hasty

Cursory (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. acting or done with excessive or careless speed

    "your essays require more than a cursory effort at proofreading"

    similar: drive-by, flying, gadarene, hasty, headlong, helter-skelter, hurried, overhasty, pell-mell, precipitate, precipitous, rash, rushed
    related: breakneck, breathtaking, headstrong, heady, hotheaded, impatient, impetuous, impulsive, madcap, reckless, unadvised, quick, rapid, speedy, swift, horseback, impromptu, makeshift, offhand, offhanded, off-the-cuff, rush, slapdash, snap, spontaneous, spur-of-the-moment, abrupt, sudden
    opposite: deliberate, unhurried, unrushed
    near: calculated, calculating, measured, circumspect, foresighted, forethoughtful, drawn-out, extended, long-term, prolonged, faltering, hesitant, hesitating, tentative, dallying, dawdling, laggard, leisurely, poky, shilly-shallying, slow

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Cursory

The most common words with a similar meaning to Cursory:

drive-by, flying, gadarene, hasty, headlong, helter-skelter, hurried, overhasty, pell-mell, precipitate, precipitous, rash, rushed

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Cursory

Words with the opposite meaning of Cursory:

deliberate, unhurried, unrushed

Related Words for Cursory

breakneck, breathtaking, headstrong, heady, hotheaded, impatient, impetuous, impulsive, madcap, reckless, unadvised, quick, rapid, speedy, swift, horseback, impromptu, makeshift, offhand, offhanded, off-the-cuff, rush, slapdash, snap, spontaneous, spur-of-the-moment, abrupt, sudden

Near Antonyms of Cursory

calculated, calculating, measured, circumspect, foresighted, forethoughtful, drawn-out, extended, long-term, prolonged, faltering, hesitant, hesitating, tentative, dallying, dawdling, laggard, leisurely, poky, shilly-shallying, slow

Word Forms of Cursory

Derived words: cursorily (adverb), cursoriness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Cursory

borrowed from Medieval Latin cursōrius "of running, swift" (Late Latin in nominal derivatives, as cursōria "shoe for running"), adjectival derivative of Latin cursor "runner" cursor

First known use: 1601

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Cursory

Frequently Asked Questions about Cursory

What does "Cursory" mean?

"Cursory" means rapidly and often superficially performed or produced, hasty. As an adjective, it is defined as: rapidly and often superficially performed or produced, hasty.

What is another word for "Cursory"?

Other words for "Cursory" include drive-by, flying, gadarene, hasty, headlong, helter-skelter, hurried and overhasty. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Cursory" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Cursory"?

There are 41 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Cursory". Common alternatives include drive-by, flying, gadarene, hasty, headlong, helter-skelter, hurried, overhasty, pell-mell and precipitate.

What is the opposite of "Cursory"?

Antonyms of "Cursory" include deliberate, unhurried and unrushed. Near antonyms include calculated, calculating, measured and circumspect.

How do you use "Cursory" in a sentence?

Examples of "Cursory" in a sentence: "your essays require more than a cursory effort at proofreading".

Is "Cursory" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Cursory" is an adjective.

Is "Cursory" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C2-level word, "Cursory" is typical of Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE), IELTS band 8.5–9.0, TOEFL iBT 114–120, PTE Academic 85–90. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Cursory"?

"Cursory" is pronounced /ˈkər-sə-rē/ and divided into syllables as cur·so·ry.