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perfunctory

per·func·to·ry
P p

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [per-fuhngk-tuh-ree]
    • /pərˈfʌŋk tə ri/
    • /pəˈfʌŋk.tər.i/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [per-fuhngk-tuh-ree]
    • /pərˈfʌŋk tə ri/

Definitions of perfunctory word

  • adjective perfunctory performed merely as a routine duty; hasty and superficial: perfunctory courtesy. 1
  • adjective perfunctory lacking interest, care, or enthusiasm; indifferent or apathetic: In his lectures he reveals himself to be merely a perfunctory speaker. 1
  • adjective perfunctory action: careless, hasty 1
  • adjective perfunctory A perfunctory action is done quickly and carelessly, and shows a lack of interest in what you are doing. 0
  • adjective perfunctory done superficially, only as a matter of routine; careless or cursory 0
  • adjective perfunctory dull or indifferent 0

Information block about the term

Origin of perfunctory

First appearance:

before 1575
One of the 34% oldest English words
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

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Perfunctory

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

perfunctory popularity

A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 62% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.

perfunctory usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for perfunctory

adj perfunctory

  • addicting — a person who is addicted to an activity, habit, or substance: a drug addict.
  • asap — asap is an abbreviation for 'as soon as possible'.
  • autogenetic — self-generated.
  • automatic — An automatic machine or device is one which has controls that enable it to perform a task without needing to be constantly operated by a person. Automatic methods and processes involve the use of such machines.
  • careless — If you are careless, you do not pay enough attention to what you are doing, and so you make mistakes, or cause harm or damage.

adjective perfunctory

  • depthless — immeasurably deep; fathomless
  • expeditive — (obsolete) Performing with speed.
  • mechanistic — of or relating to the theory of mechanism or to mechanists.
  • offhand — cavalierly, curtly, or brusquely: to reply offhand.
  • quick — done, proceeding, or occurring with promptness or rapidity, as an action, process, etc.; prompt; immediate: a quick response.

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See also

Matching words

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