Meaning & use
perfunctory
Last updated
UK/pəˈfʌŋktəri/
US/pərˈfʌŋktəri/
Meaning
adjectivecomparabledisapproving
Done quickly and without real interest, only because it is expected.
Grammar: Can follow be or go before a noun: a perfunctory glance.
Patterns
- a perfunctory glance
- perfunctory about something
He gave the report a perfunctory glance and moved on.
Her thanks sounded perfunctory, as if she were reading a script.
The inspector made a perfunctory check of the room.
Word forms
| comparative | more perfunctory |
|---|---|
| superlative | most perfunctory |
Common combinations
- perfunctory nod
- He gave a perfunctory nod and left.
- perfunctory greeting
- They exchanged a perfunctory greeting.
- perfunctory check
- A perfunctory check missed the fault.
- perfunctory manner
- She spoke in a perfunctory manner.
Synonyms and how they differ
- cursory
- Stresses speed and lack of detail rather than lack of interest.
- half-hearted
- Stresses a lack of enthusiasm.
- routine
- Neutral; does not suggest a lack of care.
Opposites
Word family
- perfunctorily adverb
- in a minimal way
- perfunctoriness noun
- the quality of being perfunctory
Commonly confused: perfunctory or brief?
perfunctory vs brief
Brief only means short; perfunctory suggests little care.
Practice
Which sentence best uses 'perfunctory'?
Choose one answer.
Perfunctory means done with minimal care; only the first sentence shows that.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “perfunctory”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
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