per·func·to·ry (p r-f ngk t-r )adj. 1. Done routinely and with little interest or care: The operator answered the phone with a perfunctory greeting. 2. Acting with indifference; showing little interest or care. [Late Latin perf  nct rius, from Latin perfnctus, past participle of perfung , to get through with : per-, per- + fung, to perform.]per·func to·ri·ly adv.per·func to·ri·ness n. |
perfunctory
Adjective
Formal done only as a matter of routine: he gave his wife a perfunctory kiss [Late Latin perfunctorius negligent]
perfunctorily adv
perfunctoriness n
perfunctoriness n
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Adj. | 1. | perfunctory - hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough; "a casual (or cursory) inspection failed to reveal the house's structural flaws"; "a passing glance"; "perfunctory courtesy" careless - marked by lack of attention or consideration or forethought or thoroughness; not careful; "careless about her clothes"; "forgotten by some careless person"; "a careless housekeeper"; "careless proofreading"; "it was a careless mistake"; "hurt by a careless remark" |
| 2. | perfunctory - as a formality only; "a one-candidate pro forma election" formal - being in accord with established forms and conventions and requirements (as e.g. of formal dress); "pay one's formal respects"; "formal dress"; "a formal ball"; "the requirement was only formal and often ignored"; "a formal education" |
perfunctory
adjective offhand, routine, wooden, automatic, stereotyped, mechanical, indifferent, careless, superficial, negligent, sketchy, unconcerned, cursory, unthinking, slovenly, heedless, slipshod, inattentive << OPPOSITE thorough
Translations
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