cursory
/'kə:səri/
Definition
- Adjective:
- Done quickly and without careful attention to detail: Describes an action that is performed rapidly, giving only superficial attention and not aiming for thoroughness.
- Performed as a formality or routine, lacking depth or interest: Indicates something done merely to fulfill an obligation, without genuine engagement or care.
Examples of Usage
- Adjective:
- He gave the report only a cursory reading before the meeting.
- A cursory examination of the data revealed no obvious errors.
- She answered with a cursory nod, her mind clearly elsewhere.
Advanced Usage
- "to give/pay cursory attention to something": to devote only minimal, superficial attention to something.
- The manager paid only cursory attention to the safety protocols, which led to problems later.
- "a cursory knowledge/understanding": a very basic or shallow level of knowledge about a subject.
- He has only a cursory understanding of the legal issues involved.
Variants and Related Words
- Cursorily (adverb): In a quick and superficial manner.
- He glanced cursorily at the headlines.
- Cursoriness (noun): The quality of being cursory. (This form is rare in everyday use.)
Synonyms
- Perfunctory: Carried out with minimal effort or reflection, often as a duty.
- Superficial: Concerned only with the obvious or apparent; not profound or thorough.
- Hasty: Done with excessive speed or urgency, often implying a lack of care.
- Desultory: Lacking a plan, purpose, or enthusiasm; half-hearted.
Antonyms
- Thorough: Executed with completeness and careful attention to detail.
- Meticulous: Showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise.
- Exhaustive: Comprehensive and complete; leaving nothing out.
Related Phrases and Idioms
- A once-over: (Informal idiom) A quick, cursory inspection or examination.
- He gave the car a quick once-over before buying it.
- To skim (through something): To read or look over something quickly to grasp the main ideas, not the details. (This is a verb with a similar meaning to the action described by "cursory").
- I only had time to skim the document before the call.
Adjective
-
hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough
-
a casual (or cursory) inspection failed to reveal the house's structural flaws
-
a passing glance
-
perfunctory courtesy
-
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