perfunctory

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

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

Both councils, which were largely cosmetic and [never held any real meetings besides one perfunctory photo op, are now finished.

— maya kosoff, The Hive, "Trump Dissolves Advisory Councils Before C.E.O.s Can Quit," 16 Aug. 2017
Nearly always, the vote to go into a closed meeting is perfunctory.

— steve vockrodt, kansascity, "Concerns about transparency lead City Council to tweak KCI selection process," 27 July 2017
Most bits fall along perfunctory lines even for a low-key late-night sketch show: Theo Epstein brings his stats prowess into the bedroom; Budweiser and Old Style reps duke it out.

— Chicago Reader, "The Amish Project, Hitch*cocktails, and seven more new stage shows to see now," 12 July 2017
Despite an increase in 3-D releases, the box-office market for that particular upcharge is falling as 3-D has gone from being a special experience to a perfunctory feature for every blockbuster.

— david sims, The Atlantic, "Why Hollywood Should Pay Attention to Dunkirk," 10 July 2017
The romantic elements in A League of Their Own are all perfunctory, largely filler.

— hanif willis-abdurraqib, Esquire, "What Makes A League of Their Own One of the Best Baseball Movies Ever Made," 30 June 2017
In the title role, Kirsten Dunst was irresistible as usual, which made the biopic motions the film went through, adapted from Antonia Fraser’s biography, all the more perfunctory.

— christian lorentzen, New Republic, "The Beguiled: Not Shy About Violence," 23 June 2017
Cruise just gets lost in this mess, and Nick’s attempt at redemption is as perfunctory as everything else.

— loey lockerby, kansascity.com, "A monstrous mistake: ‘The Mummy’ is too wrapped up in promoting a sorry new franchise," 8 June 2017
These days, annihilation shouldn’t feel so perfunctory.

— richard lawson, VanityFair.com, "It Comes at Night Review," 6 June 2017

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."