Pronunciations (4)
-
/pəˈfʌŋk.t(ə)ɹɪ/
Pronunciation notes
- UK
-
/pɚˈfʌŋk.tɚ.i/
Pronunciation notes
- US
-
pəˈfʌŋk.t(ə)ɹɪ
Pronunciation notes
- GB
-
pɚˈfʌŋk.tɚ.i
Pronunciation notes
- US
Adjective
Done only or merely to conform to a minimal standard or to fulfill a protocol or presumptive duty.
- Examples
-
a perfunctory kiss
More examples (1)
I caught the gist of what he was saying--which in effect was that he had found and captured this Galu, that she was his and that he defied anyone to question his right of possession. It appeared to me, as I afterward learned was the fact, that I was witnessing the most primitive of marriage ceremonies. The assembled members of the tribe looked on and listened in a sort of dull and perfunctory apathy, for the speaker was by far the mightiest of the clan.
He then poured some wine for me to taste, and harassed me with perfunctory courtesies that had to be acknowledged.
More examples (2)
The second section of the episode charged from Winterfell to Highgarden and Oldtown in a way that felt perfunctory. I found myself asking, “We’re just getting to Winterfell?”
Even as former administration officials and Democratic leaders called on the president to tell his supporters to “go home,” Mr. Trump for hours did little to discourage them from storming the building. Instead, he issued two perfunctory tweets in which he asked them merely to remain “peaceful.”
Performed in a careless or indifferent manner as a thing of rote.
- Synonyms
- Examples
-
He did a perfunctory job cleaning his dad's car, finishing quickly but leaving a few spots still dirty.
Alternatively it may mean that a perfunctory search is enough to ensure that a purchase is acceptable, so less search is carried out.
Adjective
hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough
- Synonyms
- Examples
-
a casual (or cursory) inspection failed to reveal the house's structural flaws
a passing glance
More examples (2)
perfunctory courtesy
In his paper, he showed a very superficial understanding of psychoanalytic theory
done or produced as a formality only
- Synonyms
- Examples
-
a one-candidate pro forma election