Words / C2

DES-uh-ltree/ˈdesəltri/

Desultory means lacking a plan, jumping about: a desultory search, desultory conversation. Casual can be relaxed on purpose; desultory is aimless. Discursive wanders in an essay; desultory is weaker and less intellectual. Methodical is a useful opposite.

Meaning

Lacking a plan; jumping from one thing to another without a clear purpose (formal).

Examples

• “A desultory search of the notes found nothing useful.”
• “After a desultory glance at the data, they guessed.”
• “The meeting became desultory once the chair left.”

Good to know

a desultory search/chat (formal). Opposite flavour: methodical. Essay wandering: discursive.

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