Term Gallery logo

Meanings of perfunctory in English

Hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough.

Related terms

As a formality only.

Related terms
Synonyms
Examples for "passing"
Examples for "passing"
1
Recent polling shows the proposed amendment stands a good chance of passing.
Reuters
2
Just passing through, on my way to a far, far better place.
The Great Book of Amber
3
Engel said there was no point in passing North Korea legislation again.
Reuters
4
However, the window for passing the bill this year may be limited.
Reuters
5
Mr Key wants to build broad Parliamentary support before passing any legislation.
Radio NZ
1
South Africa has quite a large number of casual and full-time cosplayers.
The South African
2
It was casual enough, but it sent a clear message: nobody leaves.
The Lightning Thief
3
Vague and casual comments of support could be taken the wrong way!
The South African
4
Both groups were particularly less aware that casual contact cannot spread AIDS.
Pubmed
5
She said casual racism was occurring every day for Māori staff members.
Radio NZ
1
Already it is clear from cursory observation that public behaviour is changing.
The Irish Times
2
There's a cursory reference to poverty in the Tory general election manifesto.
The Guardian
3
Still, a cursory look at his life does suggest one possible scenario.
Underground
4
I found nothing obvious, but wasn't particularly reassured by the cursory exam.
Too close to home
5
During her arrival, she had only given the chamber a cursory scan.
Legends of the dragonrealm, vol ii
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
About this term
More collocations
Perfunctory through the time
Perfunctory across language varieties
United Kingdom
Common
United States of America
Common