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Meanings of perfunctory in English

Hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough.

Related terms

As a formality only.

Related terms
Usage of perfunctory in English
1
That is, if you don't mind? he added a clearly perfunctory question.
The devil she knows
2
The Captain touched the peak of his cap in a perfunctory manner.
Combed Out
3
The cinematography for the modern singing and interviews, however, is merely perfunctory.
Reuters
4
Dull stuff, a perfunctory duty at the end of a tumultuous year.
The Irish Times
5
She performed the coarse duties of her life in a perfunctory manner.
The Redemption of David Corson
6
The Mexicans saluted in a perfunctory manner and rode toward San Antonio.
The Texan Scouts: A Story of the Alamo and Goliad
7
The praise is neither perfunctory nor lacking in a really religious tone.
The Religions of India / Handbooks on the History of Religions, ...
8
Thanks. The second word was perfunctory, thrust at me like a weapon.
Coyote dreams
9
Illustrations do suggest that the early surface buildings were perfunctory and disparate.
The Guardian
10
The law has no claim against her, except in a perfunctory way.
The Hollow of Her Hand
11
The tone in which Roger Barnes spoke was good-tempered, but quite perfunctory.
Marriage à la mode
12
The question was perfunctory, and she knew what the answer would be.
Martin Eden
13
Joy gave Katie a perfunctory hug and held her at arm's length.
Getting in: a novel
14
He will probably go through his duties in a somewhat perfunctory manner.
Miscellaneous Writings and Speeches — Volume 4
15
There was probably only the most perfunctory sympathy for the stricken director.
The Film Mystery
16
But Labour and Tory politicians have been more perfunctory on the podium.
The Guardian
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Perfunctory through the time
Perfunctory across language varieties
United Kingdom
Common
United States of America
Common