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

More than a dozen other states are reinstating cursive lessons in schools. — Jessie Balmert, Cincinnati.com, "Ohio students could learn cursive handwriting again," 20 June 2018 There are few instances anymore, though, that seem to require a strictly cursive signature. — Arika Herron, Indianapolis Star, "Cursive writing crusade begins again, becoming this lawmaker's signature issue," 4 Jan. 2018 So just as fans of Fred Rogers will always remember his trademark cardigans, Marshall will always be linked to her signature cursive L. Want more stories from The Goods by Vox? — Nadra Nittle, Vox, "We have Penny Marshall to thank for the popularity of the monogram," 18 Dec. 2018 Earlier this year, Jonas and Turner got commemorative tattoos for their respective grandfathers, with Jonas intricately sketching a photograph of his grandfather on his arm and Turner opting for a small cursive initial on her finger. — Brooke Marine, Glamour, "Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas' New Tattoos Take Their Wedding Prep to the Next Level," 8 Oct. 2018 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

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Mostly hidden on the inside of her right arm, the tiny piece is a word in cursive that was too small for most people to decipher. — Evelyn Wang, Teen Vogue, "Kaia Gerber Got Her First Ever Teeny Tiny Tattoo," 12 Oct. 2018 The upper four tiers are round with plain white icing and a simple ribbon, while the base tier is an octagon shape decorated with ivy sugar work and the couple's initials in a gold cursive script. — Tamara Abraham, Harper's BAZAAR, "Your First Look at Princess Eugenie's Red Velvet Wedding Cake," 6 Oct. 2018 Telephone message: Arrived, accurately, at 1:55 — a bit tardy — but delivered with courtesy and written in elegant cursive on Plaza notepaper. — Fox, Town & Country, "A Table for Mr. Fox," 21 Nov. 2012 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

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.