Dictionary
Thesaurus
Reference
Translate
Web
Related Searches
on Ask.com
Synonyms
Nearby Entries
Definition of perfunctory - 4 dictionary results

per⋅func⋅to⋅ry

  [per-fuhngk-tuh-ree]
Use perfunctory in a Sentence
–adjective
1. performed merely as a routine duty; hasty and superficial: perfunctory courtesy.
2. lacking interest, care, or enthusiasm; indifferent or apathetic: In his lectures he reveals himself to be merely a perfunctory speaker.
Origin:
1575–85; < LL perfūnctōrius negligent, superficial, deriv. of perfungī to do one's job, be done, equiv. to per- per- + fung-, base of fungī to perform, function + -tōrius -tory 1

Related forms:
per⋅func⋅to⋅ri⋅ly, adverb
per⋅func⋅to⋅ri⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
1, 2. negligent, heedless, thoughtless, uninterested.

Antonyms:
1, 2. careful, diligent.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To perfunctory
per·func·to·ry   (pər-fŭngk'tə-rē)   
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 perfūnctōrius, from Latin perfūnctus, past participle of perfungī, to get through with : per-, per- + fungī, to perform.]
per·func'to·ri·ly adv., per·func'to·ri·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source

Perfunctory

Per*func"to*ry\, a. [L. perfunctorius, fr. perfunctus dispatched, p. p. of perfungi to discharge, dispatch; per (see Per) + fungi to perform. See Function.]

1. Done merely to get rid of a duty; performed mechanically and as a thing of rote; done in a careless and superficial manner; characterized by indifference; as, perfunctory admonitions. --Macaulay.

2. Hence: Mechanical; indifferent; listless; careless. "Perfunctory in his devotions." --Sharp.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Cite This Source

perfunctory 
1581, from L.L. perfunctorius "careless, negligent," lit. "like one who wishes to get through a thing," from L. perfungus, pp. of perfungi "discharge, get through," from per- "through" + fungi "perform" (see function).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see perfunctory on Thesaurus | Reference