cursory
What does "cursory" mean?
Cursory describes an action that is done quickly, superficially, and without much attention to detail. Imagine someone flipping through a book just to see how many pages it has, rather than actually reading the text; that is a cursory glance. It is often used when someone is expected to be thorough but fails to be, such as a "cursory inspection" of a car or a "cursory review" of a report. Because it implies a lack of care, it carries a slightly negative or critical tone.
"cursory" in conversation
Work report review
Did you review the quarterly figures?
Did you review the quarterly figures?
I gave them a cursory look before the meeting.
I gave them a cursory look before the meeting.
Used to admit that the review was rushed and likely missed details.
Security checkpoint
The guard gave my bag a cursory scan and waved me through.
The guard gave my bag a cursory scan and waved me through.
That doesn't sound very safe, does it?
That doesn't sound very safe, does it?
Highlights the perfunctory nature of a task performed quickly.
"cursory" in a sentence
He gave the document a cursory glance.
He gave the document a cursory glance.
The police conducted a cursory search of the area but found nothing.
The police conducted a cursory search of the area but found nothing.
A cursory examination of the evidence revealed several inconsistencies that the initial investigators had overlooked.
A cursory examination of the evidence revealed several inconsistencies that the initial investigators had overlooked.
