cursive script

writing system

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 25, 2026

Quick Summary

Cursive is a style of handwriting where letters within a word are connected, allowing for faster writing by keeping the pen in continuous motion. This method has ancient roots, with forms like ancient Egyptian hieratic script and Chinese caoshu predating modern European cursive.1

The development of Latin-based cursive includes Carolingian minuscule, which influenced modern Roman type, and Anglicana, popular in Britain and France by the 13th century. Later styles like 18th-century round hand, used for the U.S. Declaration of Independence, and 19th-century Spencerian and Palmer methods aimed for standardization and efficiency. While its emphasis in education has decreased with the rise of digital technology, tools using artificial intelligence can now interpret cursive writing.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

3 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

calligraphy
Origins to the 8th century ce
…this writing is often termed cursive. Scribes also made frequent use of abbreviations. When the scribe was skillful in reconciling clarity and speed, such writing may have much character, even beauty; but it often degenerates into a formless, sometimes indecipherable, scrawl.
Read More
…this writing is often termed cursive. Scribes also made frequent use of abbreviations. When the scribe was skillful in reconciling clarity and speed, such writing may have much character, even beauty; but it often degenerates into a formless, sometimes indecipherable, scrawl.
Read More

Greek alphabet
…similar to hand printing, and cursive and minuscule, which were running scripts similar to modern handwriting forms, with joined letters and considerable modification in letter shape. Uncial went out of use in the 9th century ce, and minuscule, which replaced it, developed into the modern Greek handwriting form.
Read More
…similar to hand printing, and cursive and minuscule, which were running scripts similar to modern handwriting forms, with joined letters and considerable modification in letter shape. Uncial went out of use in the 9th century ce, and minuscule, which replaced it, developed into the modern Greek handwriting form.
Read More

paleography
Analysis of texts
Cursive scripts that were easier to write were developed for everyday use, for business, and to record the acts of the great bureaucracy of Egypt, where the Greeks settled in large numbers. The Greek cursive script and the formal book script greatly influenced each other,…
Read More
Cursive scripts that were easier to write were developed for everyday use, for business, and to record the acts of the great bureaucracy of Egypt, where the Greeks settled in large numbers. The Greek cursive script and the formal book script greatly influenced each other,…
Read More