perfunctory

[ per-fuhngk-tuh-ree ]
/ pərˈfʌŋk tə ri /
SEE 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.

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

OTHER WORDS FROM perfunctory

per·func·to·ri·ly, adverb per·func·to·ri·ness, noun

Words nearby perfunctory

performing, performing arts, perfume, perfumer, perfumery, perfunctory, perfusate, perfuse, perfusion, pergamum, pergelisol

Words related to perfunctory

sketchy, cursory, superficial, offhand, apathetic, careless, cool, disinterested, heedless, impersonal, inattentive, indifferent, involuntary, lackadaisical, laid-back, mechanical, negligent, routine, slipshod, slovenly

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, adverb perfunctoriness, noun

Word Origin for perfunctory

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