perfunctory
adjective
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A perfunctory explanation of the origins of perfunctory would be this: it comes from Latin. Borrowed in the late 16th century, the word is specifically from the Late Latin perfunctorius, meaning "done in a careless or superficial manner." Perfunctorius ultimately comes from two Latin sources, per-, meaning "through," and fungi, meaning "to perform." Fungi is also a source to such words as function, defunct, and fungible, but not to fungus; that word is also from Latin, but it is most likely a modification of the Greek word spongos, meaning "sponge."
Examples of perfunctory in a Sentence
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
James Perkins Mastromarino, NPR, 14 Mar. 2025
The doc opens with a perfunctory overview of the artist’s early life, touching briefly on his childhood in Chicago and how the church introduced him to and shaped his musical style.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Mar. 2025
Geller’s screenplay feels perfunctory in its plotting and characterizations, giving the proceedings an unfortunately rote, uninvolving feel.
—Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Mar. 2025
Some feel a bit perfunctory and unrevealing, such as Jack Black popping in for a segment to talk about the late Meat Loaf’s scene-stealing cameo.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perfunctory
Cite this Entry
“Perfunctory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perfunctory. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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perfunctory
adjective
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