WordGarden.ioperfunctorily
C2Pronunciation
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Meanings
Adverb
in a routine, careless way with little interest or effort
Beyond the definition
Imagine a robot doing a task exactly as told. It finishes the job, but there is no warmth, care, or real interest in it. That's what "perfunctorily" describes. It means doing something because you have to, not because you care about it. A waiter might greet customers perfunctorily on a bad day, giving a flat "Hello" with no warmth. A student might write an essay perfunctorily, just trying to meet the requirements instead of caring about the topic. The word suggests that the action is done in a shallow, routine way, with little real attention or feeling.
"Perfunctorily" describes performing an action in a routine, superficial, or automatic way—without enthusiasm, care, or real feeling. It comes from the Latin word perfunctus, meaning "completed" or "carried through." However, it carries a negative connotation; something done perfunctorily isn't just finished—it's finished with a distinct lack of heart.
You might see it used in situations where someone is obligated to do something they don't enjoy, or when dealing with tasks that have become monotonous. For example: "The guard waved the cars through perfunctorily, barely glancing at their identification." This suggests he was simply going through the motions of his job, not actively paying attention.
It's often used to describe interactions between people where genuine connection is missing. "She nodded perfunctorily in response," implies a polite but distant acknowledgment. A politician might offer condolences perfunctorily after a tragedy, meaning they express sympathy as part of their duty rather than feeling it deeply.
The key takeaway is that "perfunctorily" isn't just about doing something; it's about how it's done—with a noticeable absence of genuine engagement or emotion. It suggests a task completed merely to fulfill an obligation, lacking any personal investment.
Examples
- 1
Distracted response
He nodded perfunctorily and kept reading his email.
- 2
Customer service
The clerk smiled perfunctorily as he handed me the receipt.
- 3
Quick apology
She apologized perfunctorily, then changed the subject.
- 4
Management review
The manager glanced perfunctorily through the report before signing it.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
- automatically
- superficially
- as a formality
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- answer perfunctorily
- smile perfunctorily
- perform a task perfunctorily
Word family
Explore
- rote behavior
- going through the motions
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- perfunctorilyadverb