Words / C2

p-uh-FUNGKT-uh-ree/pəˈfʌŋktəri/

Perfunctory means done quickly, with little care, just to get it done: a perfunctory glance, a perfunctory apology. Cursory is a close synonym; hasty is everyday and may still be sincere. It is a cool, formal criticism of attention, not of speed alone. In speech, just going through the motions or a quick once-over is the paraphrase. A thorough check is the opposite idea.

Meaning

Done quickly, with little care or interest, just to get it done (formal).

Examples

• “He gave the essay a perfunctory glance.”
• “He gave the risk assessment a perfunctory tick and left.”
• “A perfunctory “sorry” without a change of plan convinced nobody.”

Good to know

Done just to tick a box. Formal. Close: cursory. Everyday: going through the motions. Opposite: thorough.

Near in meaning

cursory

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