perfunctory
/pəˈfʌŋk.tər.i/Done quickly and without real care or effort, usually only because it is expected or required. A perfunctory action is done as a formality — the person is going through the motions, not genuinely trying.
- The manager gave a perfunctory nod and walked away without listening.
- She received a perfunctory apology that felt completely insincere.
- The safety check was so perfunctory that nothing was actually inspected.
Adinary Nuance
Perfunctory sits in a cluster of words — cursory, halfhearted, mechanical, and superficial — that all suggest a lack of full engagement, but each has a distinct angle. Perfunctory uniquely stresses the formality trap: the action is done because duty or social expectation demands it, not because the person cares. Cursory focuses on speed and incompleteness — a cursory review is rushed, not necessarily insincere. Halfhearted points to weak motivation or enthusiasm, which could apply even outside formal duties. Mechanical emphasises robotic repetition without feeling, while superficial targets lack of depth, especially in understanding. If you want to say someone only did something to tick a box, perfunctory is the most precise choice.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- hình thức
- Spanish
- superficial
- Chinese
- 敷衍
- Japanese
- 形式的な
- Korean
- 형식적인
Etymology
From Latin "perfunctorius," meaning careless or negligent, derived from "perfungi" (to discharge or get through a duty). The word entered English in the late 16th century, carrying the sense of completing an obligation with minimum effort.
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is 'perfunctory' a formal word? Can I use it in IELTS writing?
- Yes, perfunctory is a formal academic word and is excellent for IELTS writing Task 2 or reading comprehension. It appears in editorial writing, academic papers, and formal critiques — anywhere you need to describe careless or hollow effort with precision.
- What is the difference between 'perfunctory' and 'cursory'?
- Perfunctory highlights that something was done only as a formality, with no real sincerity or care. Cursory focuses on speed — done too quickly to be thorough. A perfunctory apology is hollow and insincere; a cursory apology is simply rushed.
- Can 'perfunctory' describe a person, or only an action?
- It most naturally describes actions, gestures, or responses — a perfunctory nod, a perfunctory review. Describing a person directly as perfunctory is unusual and may sound odd. It is safer to say 'his manner was perfunctory' rather than 'he is perfunctory.'
- How do I pronounce 'perfunctory' correctly?
- Stress the second syllable: per-FUNK-tuh-ree. The 'c' in the middle is silent within the cluster, and the word ends with a light, unstressed '-ree' sound. It is four syllables total.