cursory
Say it: KUR-suh-ree /ˈkɝsəri/ · adjective
What “cursory” means
Done quickly, without checking carefully.
More precisely: Hasty and therefore not thorough.
Example: “A cursory glance at the contract missed the cancellation fee.”
When to use it
In mildly critical, fairly formal conversation, when someone gives something a quick look and misses important details.
Similar words
quick, hasty, superficial
Where it comes from
From Latin cursor, "runner."
Quick check
A shopper barely glances at a second-hand chair and misses its cracked leg. What word describes their inspection?
cursory or efficient?
Show the answer
cursory
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