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Most people can tell when someone is simply going through the motions. It might be a greeting offered without warmth, a report prepared with little care, or a task completed solely because it appears on a checklist. The action is finished, yet something seems missing. Effort, interest and genuine engagement have quietly disappeared from the process. The word perfunctory describes this kind of behaviour. It captures those moments when obligations are met in the most basic way possible, with minimal attention given to quality or sincerity. Whether in workplaces, institutions or everyday interactions, the term highlights the difference between merely doing something and doing it well.


What does the word Perfunctory mean

Perfunctory refers to an action carried out with little enthusiasm, care or attention. It is often used when someone performs a duty simply because it is expected, rather than because they are genuinely invested in it.


Pronunciation of the word Perfunctory

• Phonetic pronunciation: /pəˈfʌŋktəri/
• Simple pronunciation: per-FUNGK-tuh-ree
• The stress falls on the syllable: FUNGK

Origin of the word Perfunctory

The word originated from Latin roots associated with getting something done quickly or passing through a task. Over centuries, its meaning shifted towards describing actions completed without much thought, care or commitment.


How to use the word Perfunctory in sentences

• His perfunctory nod suggested he had not been paying attention to the discussion.
• The committee's perfunctory investigation failed to answer several important questions.
• She gave the document only a perfunctory glance before signing it.
• What should have been a detailed review turned into a perfunctory exercise.

Synonyms of Perfunctory

• Superficial
• Cursory
• Mechanical
• Routine

Antonyms of Perfunctory

• Meticulous
• Thorough
• Attentive
• Conscientious