# cursor

/ˈkɝsɝ/ (US) · /kˈɜːsɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cursor
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. mouse pointer

noun · CEFR B1

the small arrow or icon on a computer screen that moves when you move your mouse.

For teachers: a graphical representation of the position of a pointing device, such as a mouse or trackpad, on a display.

- Move the cursor to the top of the screen to see the menu.
- The user struggled to click the small icon because the cursor was moving too quickly across the high-resolution display.

### 2. typing indicator

noun · CEFR B1

a blinking line or box that shows where the next letter you type will appear.

For teachers: a visual indicator, typically a vertical bar or underscore, marking the insertion point for text entry.

- The cursor was blinking at the end of the sentence, waiting for me to type.
- If the cursor disappears from the text field, you may need to click inside the box again to regain focus.

### 3. database reference

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a tool in programming used to look at one row of data at a time in a large list.

For teachers: a control structure that enables traversal over the records in a database result set.

- The programmer used a cursor to update each customer's address in the database.
- Efficiently managing the database cursor is essential to prevent memory leaks when processing millions of individual records.

### 4. measuring tool part

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a sliding part on a tool, like a ruler, that shows a specific measurement.

For teachers: a transparent or sliding component of a measuring instrument that indicates a specific value or position.

- Slide the cursor along the scale until it aligns with the mark.
- The technician adjusted the cursor on the slide rule to ensure the calculation was accurate to three decimal places.

### 5. to move using keys

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

to move around a screen using the arrow keys on a keyboard.

For teachers: to navigate through a digital interface or text document using directional keys.

- You can cursor down to the bottom of the page to find the link.
- The software allows users to cursor through the menu options if their pointing device fails to respond.

## Examples

- Move the cursor to the top of the screen to close the window.
- If the cursor stops moving when you move the mouse, your computer might be frozen.
- The software allows users to customize the cursor's appearance, making it larger or more colorful to improve visibility for those with visual impairments.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.