perfunctory

adjective per·func·to·ry \ pər-ˈfəŋ(k)-t(ə-)rē \

Updated on: 12 May 2018

Definition of perfunctory

1 : characterized by routine or superficiality : mechanical

a perfunctory smile

2 : lacking in interest or enthusiasm

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perfunctorily

play \pər-ˈfəŋ(k)-t(ə-)rə-lē\ adverb

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perfunctoriness

play \pər-ˈfəŋ(k)-t(ə-)rē-nəs\ noun

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Examples of perfunctory in a Sentence

The eight-time Pro Bowl player sometimes goes several weeks without agreeing to do even the most perfunctory postgame interviews. —Nunyo Demasio, Sports Illustrated, 8 Jan. 2007
Convivial and self-absorbed, he talks freely about crime and crooks, with only the most perfunctory nods toward conventional morality. —Edward Dolnick, The Rescue Artist, 2005
You probably don't want to know how perfunctory was the presentation of the state's evidence, how tenth-rate was the performance of the court-appointed defense or how wretched was the end. —Christopher Hitchens, Nation, 23-30 Aug. 1999
the violinist delivered a perfunctory performance that displayed none of the passion and warmth he was once known for

Recent Examples of perfunctory from the Web

Most of the time, people have perfunctory attitudes about youth and their future.

— kate santich, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Boys & Girls Clubs growing bumper crop of first-generation college students," 8 May 2018
After a few perfunctory words about Wynn’s commitment to diversity and equality, Mr. Maddox quickly moved on to touting the company’s stellar assets.

— elizabeth winkler, WSJ, "Why Wynn Remains a Risky Bet," 25 Apr. 2018
But critics say the perfunctory trials in special counterterrorism courts are sweeping up bystanders and relatives as well as fighters, and executing most of them in a process more concerned with retribution than justice.

— New York Times, "A 10-Minute Trial, a Death Sentence: Iraqi Justice for ISIS Suspects," 17 Apr. 2018
More recently, Microsoft staff have used the term Windows 10 April 2018 Update, which is much more perfunctory.

— peter bright, Ars Technica, "It’s anyone’s guess when the next major Windows 10 update will be out," 17 Apr. 2018
Getting rid of Joel is a bit of business so essential to the plot, it is performed in the most perfunctory way possible.

— caitlin flanagan, The Atlantic, "The Impossible Duality of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel," 9 Apr. 2018
Nothing about this design is superfluous or perfunctory.

— vlad savov, The Verge, "Huawei P20 Pro review: style and substance," 6 Apr. 2018
The Hawks increased their lead to 56-43 by halftime and led by as many as 15 before the Magic got some garbage points in the end to make the game appear closer in a perfunctory glance at the box score.

— george diaz, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Magic, Nikola Vucevic stumble against lowly Hawks on the road," 2 Apr. 2018
Kalder waits until the very end, past sometimes perfunctory synopses of other writers and regimes, to get to Turkmenistan, where his prose becomes suddenly luminous, elegiac, and even moving.

— colin dickey, The New Republic, "Why Dictators Write," 22 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'perfunctory.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

Perfunctory is a word whose origins are found entirely in Latin. First appearing in English in the late 16th century, it derives via the Late Latin perfunctorius, meaning "done in a careless or superficial manner," from the Latin perfungi, meaning "to accomplish" or "to get through with." That verb is formed by combining the prefix per-, meaning "through," with the verb fungi, meaning "to perform." "Fungi" can be found in the roots of such words as "function," "defunct," and "fungible." "Perfunctory" can describe something that is carried out with little effort or care, as in "He did a perfunctory job raking the leaves," but when used to describe a person it usually means "lacking enthusiasm."