English Explanatory Dictionary

perfunctory

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Done only or merely to conform to a minimal standard or to fulfill a protocol or presumptive duty.
  2. Performed in a careless or indifferent manner as a thing of rote.

Pronunciation

/pəˈfʌŋk.t(ə)ɹɪ/ /pɚˈfʌŋk.tɚ.i/ en-us-perfunctory.ogg

Word forms

perfunctory more perfunctory most perfunctory

Etymology

From Late Latin perfunctōrius (“careless, negligent”), from the past participial stem of perfungor, perfunct- (“perform, carry through”), from per- + fungor.

Synonyms

automatic cursory obligatory pro forma token unthinking haphazard mechanical slipshod

Antonyms

careful complete thorough

Related words

pro forma

Derived words

nonperfunctory perfunctorily perfunctoriness
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