Use cursory examination to signal limited depth, often when a fuller check would be more reliable.
Use cursory examination to signal limited depth, often when a fuller check would be more reliable.
Cursory examination should not describe a careful or exhaustive study. Use thorough examination, close inspection, or detailed review when depth is meant.
The adjective cursory comes from Medieval Latin cursorius, meaning running or swift, from Latin cursor, runner. Examination comes through Old French and Latin from examinare, to weigh or test.
What does cursory examination mean?
Cursory examination means a quick, surface-level inspection that does not study something in depth.
Is cursory examination formal?
Cursory examination is neutral to formal and fits reports, legal writing, medical contexts, and business reviews.
Does cursory examination imply poor quality?
It often implies that the check was too brief for complete confidence, though it can be enough for spotting obvious problems.
What is the opposite of cursory examination?
A natural opposite is thorough examination, close inspection, or careful review.
Can cursory examination find important problems?
A cursory examination can find obvious problems, but it may miss details that a deeper review would catch.