cursorycur‧so‧ry /ˈkɜːsəri $ ˈkɜːr-/ adjective 
Even a cursory glance at the figures will tell you that sales are down.cursory examination/inspection a cursory examination of the evidence—cursorily adverb
WORD ORIGINcursory
Origin:
1600-1700 Late Latin cursorius ‘of running’, from Latin currere; ➔ CURRENT1EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
- A cursory perusal of my file of pupils' pursuits in both primary and secondary schools shows similar experiences and reflections.
- After a cursory search the carrier was waved through.
- Even the most cursory glance showed me the crowd did look awfully grand.
- He placed her letter, typewritten on white paper and cursory, to one side.
- He takes a cursory look inside, then hurries back to the cabin.
- None the less, a cursory review of the facts should ease their agitation.
- Police arrived within minutes and conducted a cursory search of the property.
- Was it what they used to call love, that cursory groping devoid of excitement?
THESAURUS
taking only a short time to do something: · I took a quick look at the map.· Do I have time for a quick shower before we go out?
lasting only a short time: · You can do a short course in diving.· The meeting was shorter than I’d expected.
especially written lasting only a short time. Brief is more formal than short, and is used especially in written English: · The president made a brief visit to Buenos Aires.· a brief introduction to Piaget’s ideas· a brief pause in the rain
especially written happening in a short period of time – used about changes, increases, improvements etc: · a rapid increase in crime· the rapid rate of industrial development
happening or done as quickly as possible, especially so that you get the result that you want: · Best wishes for a speedy recovery.· The restoration work has been making speedy progress.
done very soon after something else: · Thank you for your prompt reply.· the prompt action of the firefighters· Discounts will be offered for prompt payment.
deciding or doing something very quickly, especially when this has bad results: · It was a hasty decision, which he later regretted.· They had to make a hasty departure.
formal looking at something very quickly without much attention to detail: · Even a cursory glance at these figures shows that there is a problem.· The police conducted a cursory search of the property.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Even a cursory glance at the figures will tell you that sales are down. a cursory examination of the evidenceCOLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
done very quickly without much attention to detailscursory glance/look Even a cursory glance at the figures will tell you that sales are down. a cursory examination of the evidence (=very quick and not careful or detailed)· Even a cursory examination of the documents would reveal some serious problems.
(=a very quick look without much attention to details)· I cast a cursory glance over the clothes.
formal (=a very quick and not very careful inspection)· He made only a cursory inspection of the truck.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN· After a cursory examination, he turned to me and said that we must get the boy to hospital quickly.· Because, on a cursory examination, I would say that is what you've got.
· A cursory glance at the literature in this field reveals the importance of suspicions concerning gossiping groups of women.· Even the most cursory glance showed me the crowd did look awfully grand.· He gave us a cursory glance, then resumed his watch on the highway.· Consequently, that child may be studying with a teacher who has given only a cursory glance at these spiraled curriculum guides.· Patients and workers alike gave the Governor and his visitors only cursory glances.· A busy place at which most tourists cast no more than a cursory glance and pass on.· Nevertheless, changes constantly occur as is shown by a cursory glance at the development of local government services in Britain.· Even a cursory glance is enough to show that Picasso had several changes of mind while he was working on the canvas.
· Under Leonore's eagle eye he had examined the suddenly produced delivery note and made only a cursory inspection of the truck.· A huge and implausible fiction - yes, but I dipped in for cursory inspection.· It would be impossible to find out its true value from a cursory inspection, she said.
· Yet a cursory look at these systems reveals that in practice the police still influence the process greatly.· He takes a cursory look inside, then hurries back to the cabin.· A cursory look at behavior in organizations suggests that Machiavelli is still active among us, doling out advice.
Even a cursory glance at the figures will tell you that sales are down.cursory examination/inspection a cursory examination of the evidence—cursorily adverb