Vocabulary in context
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Cursory
Done in a hurried, superficial way; lacking thoroughness or attention to detail.
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Imagine This
For those who surf the Internet, you probably read things on the monitor carelessly by scrolling the mouse cursor quickly to skim through all the junk mail.
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Sounds Like
KUR-suh-ree
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Looks Like
Cursor (the pointer on the computer monitor)
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Remember This
Etymology: from Latin cursorius 'running, swift,' from cursus 'a running, course.' Not related to the word 'curse.'
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Other Forms
cursorilyadverb
cursorynessnoun
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Connect With
perfunctory, superficial, desultory, hurried, careless
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Note
Often paired with nouns like glance, review, or inspection (e.g., cursory glance, cursory inspection). Do not confuse with cursor (the pointer) despite similar spelling.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- A cursory glance at the report revealed only a few obvious errors.
- The auditor warned that a cursory review would miss critical discrepancies.
Synonyms
perfunctorysuperficialdesultorycarelesshasty
Antonyms
thoroughmeticulouscomprehensive
Etymology
From Latin cursorius 'running, swift', from cursus 'a running, course'. The root is related to running or a course, not to the word 'curse'.
Mnemonic
Cursor runs quickly across a page; remember that cursory means skimmed or superficial, not thorough.
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Parity
nounParity refers to the state of being even or odd; more broadly, the quality of being equal or equivalent. In computing, a parity bit is used to detect errors.
Substantiate
verbTo provide evidence to support or prove the truth of a claim or assertion; to verify or establish the factual basis of something.
Prohibitive
adjectiveAdj. tending to prevent or discourage action by being excessively expensive, difficult, or restrictive.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Perfunctory
adjectiveDone in a careless or superficial way; mechanical and lacking enthusiasm.
Desultory
adjectiveDescribing actions or thinking that are random, disconnected, and lacking a clear plan or purpose; unorganized or inconsistent.
Abstruse
adjectiveDifficult to understand; obscure or highly complex.
Accidental
adjectiveHappening by chance or without deliberate planning; not intended. In music, it is also a noun for a symbol that temporarily alters a pitch.
Acerbic
adjectiveSharp or biting in tone or taste; caustic or mordant in manner.
Acquiescent
adjectiveReady to agree or approve without protest; compliant.
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