cursive

[ kur-siv ]

adjective

1. (of handwriting) in flowing strokes with the letters joined together.
2. Printing. in flowing strokes resembling handwriting.

noun

1. a cursive letter or character.
2. Printing. a style of typeface simulating handwriting.

cursive

/ ˈkɜːsɪv /

adjective

1. of or relating to handwriting in which letters are formed and joined in a rapid flowing style
2. printing of or relating to typefaces that resemble handwriting

noun

1. a cursive letter or printing type
2. a manuscript written in cursive letters

Derived Forms

• ˈcursively, adverb

Other Words From

• cursive·ly adverb
• cursive·ness noun
• non·cursive adjective
• non·cursive·ly adverb
• trans·cursive adjective
• trans·cursive·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of cursive¹

1775–85; < Medieval Latin cursīvus flowing (said of penmanship), equivalent to Latin curs ( us ) (past participle of currere to run) + -īvus -ive

Word History and Origins

Origin of cursive¹

C18: from Medieval Latin cursīvus running, ultimately from Latin currere to run

Example Sentences

This form of early cursive writing system is known as the cuneiform – and it is widely viewed as the most significant contribution by the city of Uruk.

From Realm of History

In sloppy cursive, I used my finger to write their names in the air.

From MIT Technology Review

Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic and cursive documents describe recipes for several perfumes.

From Science News

The two-time second-team all-American had a backdrop set up at her draft party featuring a wall of ivy outlined with flowers and her name written in cursive in lights.

From Washington Post

Moxie kicks off as a shout-out to riot grrrl spirit, only to give us an ending written in the cursive script of an inspirational mug.

From Time

Thorns support is for everyone, and there are no pastel colors or condescending cursive.

From The Daily Beast

The letter is four pages long, written on binder paper, in careful cursive.

From The Daily Beast

He did not tell his wife that he left a note behind for her: a very detailed message, written in his careful, flowing cursive.

From The Daily Beast

My Facebook page still reflects that—Modest Mouse and Cursive and El-P.

From The Daily Beast

But the neat cursive writing was not in Arabic; it was in Hebrew.

From The Daily Beast

I think cursive has also been used to describe the roundness of writing as opposed to an angular shape.

From Project Gutenberg

Can you explain the meaning of the term "cursive" apart from your use in this instance?

From Project Gutenberg

In the more cursive or Hieratic writing the horned serpent appears as ; in the later Demotic as and .

From Project Gutenberg

The earlier copies are all in uncial or "capital" letters, cursive or "lower-case" letters being a later invention.

From Project Gutenberg

The closely-packed script has come down to us, the writing fine, like Greek cursive.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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• effortless
• peaceful
• pleasant
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• soft
• successful