perfunctory [per-fuhngk-tuh-ree] SynonymsExamplesWord Origin 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 Related formsper·func·to·ri·ly, adverbper·func·to·ri·ness, nounSynonyms for perfunctory 1, 2. negligent, heedless, thoughtless, uninterested.Antonyms for perfunctory 1, 2. careful, diligent. Examples from the Web for perfunctoriness Historical Examples of perfunctoriness
She greeted him with a like perfunctoriness and introduced him to Miss Belthorp.
Edgar Jepson
Lee could not escape that feeling of perfunctoriness in her twitter of talk.
George C. Shedd
It is not difficult to trace signs of fatigue and perfunctoriness in the later works of its representatives.
Rosa Newmarch
Though she talked so sweetly there was, Karen felt it now, a perfunctoriness in Tante’s remarks.
Anne Douglas Sedgwick
Sylvia thought she perceived a new note in Edna’s tone, a courtesy, a perfunctoriness, that chilled her.
Clara Louise Burnham
British Dictionary definitions for perfunctoriness perfunctory adjective
- done superficially, only as a matter of routine; careless or cursory
- dull or indifferent
Derived Formsperfunctorily, adverbperfunctoriness, nounWord Origin for perfunctory C16: from Late Latin perfunctōrius negligent, from perfunctus dispatched, from perfungī to fulfil; see function Word Origin and History for perfunctoriness perfunctory adj.
1580s, from Late Latin perfunctorius “careless, negligent,” literally “like one who wishes to get through a thing,” from Latin perfungus, past participle of perfungi “discharge, busy oneself, get through,” from per- “through” + fungi “perform” (see function (n.)). Related: Perfunctorily.