cursory review

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/ˈkɜːsəri rɪˈvjuː/
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A quick, surface-level review that can spot obvious issues but does not replace careful analysis.
Practice using cursory review in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • After a cursory review of the figures, the manager requested the raw data.
  • A cursory review of the report found several formatting errors.
  • The committee completed only a cursory review before the vote.
  • The editor asked for a cursory review before assigning a full fact-check.
  • The proposal should not be approved on the basis of a cursory review.

Similar words

brief review
skim
quick review
rapid check
preliminary look
surface review

Meanings

Usage

Use cursory review for a limited first pass, especially when contrasting it with a detailed review or full analysis.

Common mistakes

Cursory review should not carry the weight of a complete analysis. Use thorough review, detailed review, or close reading when depth is meant.

Etymology

The adjective cursory comes from Medieval Latin cursorius, meaning running or swift, from Latin cursor, runner. Review comes through French from a root meaning to see again.

FAQ

What does cursory review mean?

Cursory review means a quick, surface-level look at material without detailed analysis.

Is cursory review negative?

It often suggests limited depth, so it can sound negative when a careful review was expected.

What is the difference between cursory review and thorough review?

A cursory review is brief and shallow, while a thorough review checks details carefully.

Can cursory review be used for documents?

Cursory review is commonly used for reports, proposals, articles, contracts, and other written material.

What preposition follows cursory review?

The usual pattern is a cursory review of something.

Comments & contributions

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Candid Ibex
Jul 15
en español diría revisión superficial, but cursory feels more fancy than superficial to me
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Wild Grouse
Jul 9
as ESL learner I first thought cursory was about the cursor on computer. close root maybe, but totally different meaning in use
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Fluffy Kudu
Jul 13
same older Latin running/root idea, but yeah not the mouse pointer meaning
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Plucky Zebra
Jul 8
I always read it in work email as "I skimmed this, please dont sue me later"
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Jolly Giraffe
Jul 5
my professor used to write "after a cursory review" on draft feedback and it was never good news lol
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Contribution
Fond Panther
Jun 28
To my ear, cursory glance and cursory look are more normal than cursory review in everyday speech. Cursory review sounds office-y, like audit notes or a manager covering themselves.
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Neat Iguana
Jul 2
same here, I hear cursory glance way more
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Contribution
Fluffy Hedgehog
Jun 22
Small grammar trap: "a cursory review suggests", not "suggest". The subject is review, singular. I see this mistake from learners because the phrase before it feels long and formal.
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Solar Leopard
Jun 21
Careful saying this about another person's work. "Your review was cursory" is basically telling them they skimmed it or were careless, even if the dictionary definition looks neutral.
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Solid Toad
Jun 20
In legal writing, "even a cursory review" has a sharper bite than just "quick look". It usually means the obvious thing should have jumped out, not that somebody solved the whole problem. dont use it as a promise of a real legal review.
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Spry Beaver
Jun 20
yep, "preliminary review" sounds much safer if you just mean first pass
1
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