cursive

adjective

cur·sive | \ˈkər-siv

Definition of cursive

(Entry 1 of 2)

: running, coursing: such as

a of writing : flowing often with the strokes of successive characters joined and the angles rounded

b : having a flowing, easy, impromptu character

cursive

noun

Definition of cursive (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : a manuscript written in cursive writing also : cursive writing

2 : a style of printed letter resembling handwriting

Other Words from cursive Example Sentences Learn More about cursive

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Examples of cursive in a Sentence

Noun

He writes in cursive when he takes notes.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Many states stopped teaching the writing style after adopting national Common Core curriculum standards, which did not require students to learn cursive. — Jessie Balmert, Cincinnati.com, "Ohio students could learn cursive handwriting again," 20 June 2018 Some members raised concerns about kids who couldn't read cursive or sign their name in the script. — Arika Herron, Indianapolis Star, "Cursive writing crusade begins again, becoming this lawmaker's signature issue," 4 Jan. 2018 The names are painted with cursive flourishes onto white bricks, one name per brick. — Steve Lopez, latimes.com, "He never gave up on Santa Barbara's homeless people, even as many looked the other away," 13 June 2018 As professors take a stand against computers in their classrooms, students who grew up more familiar with keyboards than cursive are struggling to adjust. — Melissa Korn, WSJ, "I’d Be an ‘A’ Student if I Could Just Read My Notes," 12 Mar. 2018 Despite the rumors of cursive’s imminent demise, this skill gives students an advantage in reading and spelling, perhaps due to the feedback from writing words as a whole instead of as individual letters through texting or typing. — Jennifer Winward, Anchorage Daily News, "Five old-school skills that kids should learn from their grandparents instead of YouTube," 26 June 2018 The bill would not require cursive be taught in schools. — Jessie Balmert, Cincinnati.com, "Ohio students could learn cursive handwriting again," 20 June 2018 Teaching cursive handwriting will be required in elementary schools under a state law set to take effect in the 2018-19 school year. — Sarah Freishtat, Aurora Beacon-News, "Aurora schools preparing to once again teach cursive handwriting," 13 June 2018 And a bill to require Indiana elementary schools to teach cursive handwriting is in play for the seventh year in a row. — Indystar, Indianapolis Star, "Abortion ban, medical marijuana, CBD oil confusion and more in store for Indiana legislature," 3 Jan. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Plus, research indicates writing in cursive is still an important skill. — Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, "5 Forgotten Skills Kids Can (and Should!) Learn from Their Grandparents," 27 June 2018 Plus, research indicates writing in cursive is still an important skill. — Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, "5 Forgotten Skills Kids Can (and Should!) Learn from Their Grandparents," 27 June 2018 Plus, research indicates writing in cursive is still an important skill. — Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, "5 Forgotten Skills Kids Can (and Should!) Learn from Their Grandparents," 27 June 2018 Plus, research indicates writing in cursive is still an important skill. — Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, "5 Forgotten Skills Kids Can (and Should!) Learn from Their Grandparents," 27 June 2018 The yellowed, fragile pages were covered in impeccable cursive — and the language of the day. — Mike Newall, Philly.com, "Locked away in a closet, Philly's historical homicide files tell the story of a young, cruel city | Mike Newall," 22 June 2018 Polemicists lament that cursive is going the way of the dodo. — Jennifer Schuessler, New York Times, "Not Your Average Autograph Collection," 12 July 2018 Plus, research indicates writing in cursive is still an important skill. — Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, "5 Forgotten Skills Kids Can (and Should!) Learn from Their Grandparents," 27 June 2018 Plus, research indicates writing in cursive is still an important skill. — Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, "5 Forgotten Skills Kids Can (and Should!) Learn from Their Grandparents," 27 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cursive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for cursive

Adjective

borrowed from Medieval Latin cursīvus, from Latin cursus, past participle of currere "to run" + -īvus -ive — more at current entry 1

Note: The word cursīva (scrīptūra "writing" presumably understood) is used for scripts by the German Benedictine monk and scribe Leonhard Wagner (Leonardus Wirchlin, 1453-1522) in Proba centum scripturarum una manu exaratarum (1507), which named and exemplified a hundred different hands from the 11th century to the author's own day. It is unclear if the word was used earlier. (There is no lemma for cursīvus in the Mittellateinisches Wörterbuch.) For Latin cursus as the past participle of currere—for expected *co(r)stus—see note at course entry 1.