What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
cursory
Example
I gave the report a cursory glance before the meeting. [cursory: adjective]
Example
She only had time for a cursory visit to the museum. [cursory: adjective]
brief
Example
Can you give me a brief overview of the project? [brief: adjective]
Example
He delivered a brief speech at the conference. [brief: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Brief is more commonly used than cursory in everyday language. Brief is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while cursory is less common and is typically used in specific professional or academic settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between cursory and brief?
Both cursory and brief are formal words and are commonly used in professional or academic settings. However, cursory can have a negative connotation of being careless or not thorough, while brief is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
