perfunctory
[ per-fuhngk-tuh-ree ]
/ pərˈfʌŋk tə ri /
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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.
SYNONYMS FOR perfunctory
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“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.
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Origin of perfunctory
OTHER WORDS FROM perfunctory
per·func·to·ri·ly, adverbper·func·to·ri·ness, nounWords nearby perfunctory
performing arts, perf. part., perfume, perfumer, perfumery, perfunctory, perfusate, perfuse, perfusion, Pergamum, pergelisol
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for perfunctory
British Dictionary definitions for perfunctory
perfunctory
/ (pəˈfʌŋktərɪ) /
adjective
done superficially, only as a matter of routine; careless or cursory
dull or indifferent
Derived forms of perfunctory
perfunctorily, adverbperfunctoriness, nounWord 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
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