English Reference
Adjective

perfunctory

adj.
C1 Advanced Oxford US /pɝˈfəŋktɝi/ UK /pəfˈʌŋktəɹˌi/ per·func·to·ry

adj.done quickly and without real interest or care. You do something this way only because you have to, not because you want to do a good job.

adj.carried out with a minimum of effort or reflection. Attributive or predicative adjective typically describing actions performed as a matter of routine or duty.


SIMPLE

He gives a perfunctory nod as he walks past.

CONTEXTUAL

The inspector performed a perfunctory check of the building, missing several obvious repairs that were needed.

COMPLEX

The candidate offered only a perfunctory apology during the interview, failing to address the deeper concerns raised by the committee regarding his previous professional conduct.

For the most part, the programming is disastrously bad, and the stage is underattended until festivalgoers can catch a perfunctory glimpse of someone semi-famous.

The Guardian· 31 Aug 2026

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

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin la-lat perfunctōrius
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated