perfunctory

[ per-fuhngk-tuh-ree ]

/ pərˈfʌŋk tə ri /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR perfunctory ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

performed merely as a routine duty; hasty and superficial: perfunctory courtesy.

lacking interest, care, or enthusiasm; indifferent or apathetic: In his lectures he reveals himself to be merely a perfunctory speaker.

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Nearby words

Origin of perfunctory

1575–85; < Late Latin perfūnctōrius negligent, superficial, derivative of perfungī to do one's job, be done, equivalent to per- per- + fung-, base of fungī to perform, function + -tōrius -tory¹

SYNONYMS FOR perfunctory

1, 2. negligent, heedless, thoughtless, uninterested.

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ANTONYMS FOR perfunctory

1, 2. careful, diligent.

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Related formsper·func·to·ri·ly, adverbper·func·to·ri·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for perfunctory

Ronaldo also does more than the perfunctory share of philanthropy that we expect from our athletic superstars.
Why It’s Still OK to Hate Sexy Bastard Cristiano Ronaldo After He Saved Team USA|Emily Shire|June 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Frank Sinatra, who might have made a perfect Sky Masterson, made a perfunctory Nathan Detroit.
New York’s Greatest Show Or How They Did Not Screw Up ‘Guys and Dolls’|Ross Wetzsteon|April 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The debt-ceiling authorization has historically been a perfunctory mechanism.
Never Mind Obamacare. Worry About the Debt Ceiling.|William L. McComb|October 1, 2013|DAILY BEAST
It was unusual for Doc to be so perfunctory, but on this particular subject he was sticking to just the facts.
The Myths of Matthew Shepard’s Infamous Death|Stephen Jimenez|September 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Spitzer rolled his eyes at the interruption, grumbling a perfunctory “very funny.”
Eliot Spitzer Mobbed by Press, Heckled at First Campaign Stop|David Freedlander|July 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST
They retire to cover earlier in the morning, and they keep more than a perfunctory outlook for the casual human being.
The Land of Footprints|Stewart Edward White
He was perfectly willing to shake hands with them or to exchange a few perfunctory words, but perfunctory words only.
Jennie Gerhardt|Theodore Dreiser
If goodwill can be consciously increased, the festival of Christmas will cease to be perfunctory.
The Feast of St. Friend|Arnold Bennett
We had a sort of perfunctory supper together, and I think it cheered us all up somewhat.
Dracula|Bram Stoker
Bruce had already reseated himself and was pouring out a glass of port, an operation he interrupted with a perfunctory apology.
Afterwards|Kathlyn Rhodes

British Dictionary definitions for perfunctory

perfunctory

/ (pəˈfʌŋktərɪ) /

adjective

done superficially, only as a matter of routine; careless or cursory

dull or indifferent

Derived Formsperfunctorily, adverbperfunctoriness, noun

Word Origin for perfunctory

C16: from Late Latin perfunctōrius negligent, from perfunctus dispatched, from perfungī to fulfil; see function

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for perfunctory

perfunctory

adj.

1580s, from Late Latin perfunctorius "careless, negligent," literally "like one who wishes to get through a thing," from Latin perfungus, past participle of perfungi "discharge, busy oneself, get through," from per- "through" + fungi "perform" (see function (n.)). Related: Perfunctorily.