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Meanings of perfunctory in English

Hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough.

casualcursorypassing
Related terms
careless

As a formality only.

pro forma
Related terms
formal
Usage of perfunctory in English
1
The cinematography for the modern singing and interviews, however, is merely perfunctory.
Reuters
2
Dull stuff, a perfunctory duty at the end of a tumultuous year.
The Irish Times
3
Illustrations do suggest that the early surface buildings were perfunctory and disparate.
The Guardian
4
Joy gave Katie a perfunctory hug and held her at arm's length.
Getting in: a novel
5
But Labour and Tory politicians have been more perfunctory on the podium.
The Guardian
6
Even when the Prophet asked his advice, it seemed off-hand, even perfunctory.
Existence
7
And Valpolicella, which always seems to suggest a perfunctory sort of jollity?
The Irish Times
8
Vithis gave them a perfunctory glance, then tossed them on the floor.
Tetrarch (Well of Echoes)
9
His cousin Abraham gave the display no more than a perfunctory glance.
Crown of Slaves
10
Instead, he gave him a perfunctory clap on the back in return.
Wizard and glass
11
It was a perfunctory task now; the black riders were already disintegrating.
The Black Unicorn
12
The response is perfunctory; they tell him a car is on its way.
What is the what: the autobiography of valentino achak deng
13
Certainly, she made no effort to speak to him, apart from perfunctory necessities.
Gladiatrix
14
There was no preamble from the coroner today; not even a perfunctory greeting.
The Guardian
15
This time the fanfare was quite perfunctory, the voice distinctly cold.
The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide
16
He listened carefully to what each said, no matter how perfunctory.
Anthill: a novel
About this term
Perfunctory through the time
More collocations
Perfunctory across language varieties
United Kingdom
Common
United States of America
Common