Cursory is an adjective meaning done or made without thoroughness or attention to detail; it implies a quick, superficial treatment. It often describes a glance, review, or examination that is short and lacks depth. The term suggests efficiency at the cost of completeness, and is commonly used in professional and everyday contexts to critique speed over accuracy.
"He gave the contract a cursory read and missed several key clauses."
"The supervisor expressed concern about the cursory safety inspection."
"Her cursory explanation left many students with more questions than answers."
"The journalist wrote a cursory report, omitting important background information."
Cursory entered English in the 15th century via the Medieval Latin cursorius, from cursus meaning “a running, a running course,” from currere “to run.” The sense developed from the idea of something done in a ‘running’ manner—swift, cursive, not deliberate. The word passed into English literature during the late Middle Ages, with early uses describing tasks completed with speed rather than care. By the 16th century, cursory began to acquire its modern nuance of superficial quickness. Over time, it retained a formal tone in written English and frequently contrasts with words like thorough or meticulous in evaluations and reviews. The evolution reflects a shift from physical movement (running) to figurative action (brief, hurried treatment). In contemporary use, its connotation remains predominantly negative, implying insufficient attention to detail despite efficiency.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Cursory" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Cursory"
-rry sounds
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Pronounce as CUR-suh-ree with primary stress on the first syllable. IPA: US /ˈkɜr.sə.ri/ or /ˈkɜːr.si/ in some fast speech; UK /ˈkəː.sə.ri/; AU /ˈkɜː.sə.ɹi/. Start with a dark, mid-back vowel for /ɜ/ or /ɛə/ in some accents, then a light schwa in the middle syllable, ending with a clear /ri/ or /riː/ depending on dialect. Tip: keep the second syllable short and reduce the vowel to a quick /ə/ to mirror natural speech.
Common errors: (1) Over-pronouncing the middle vowel, making it syllable-heavy like CUR-sor-ee; (2) Misplacing stress on the second syllable (cur-SO-ry). Correction: maintain primary stress on the first syllable and reduce the middle vowel to a quick /ə/ so CUR-suh-ree or CUR-sə-ree, depending on dialect. Use slow practice to stabilize the sequence CUR- s-ə- r i, then speed up.
US tends to have /ˈkɜːr.sə.ri/ with a rhotic /ɜr/ and a pronounced final /i/ or /iː/. UK often reduces to /ˈkəː.sə.ri/ with non-rhoticity in some speakers and a shorter final vowel. Australian maintains /ˈkɜː.sə.ɹi/ with clear r-sound in many speakers but non-rhotic tendencies in some regions. In all, the middle syllable is a quick schwa; the first vowel quality shifts close to /ɜː/ or /ə/.
Because it balances a stressed first syllable with a weak middle vowel and a final unstressed syllable; the middle /ə/ can merge with surrounding vowels in fast speech, and in some dialects the rhotic or non-rhotic pattern changes how /r/ is realized. Also, the sequence -sə-ri requires precise timing to avoid sounding like CUR-si-ry or CUR-so-ree. Practice isolating CUR- and then smoothing /sə.ri/ at a natural pace.
No, there are no silent letters in cursory. Every letter contributes to the syllables CUR-suh-ry. The challenge lies in vowel reduction and rhythm, not silent consonants. Proper articulation keeps each syllable audible enough to avoid blending the middle /ə/ with adjacent vowels in rapid speech.
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