Word of the Day

: April 25, 2007

perfunctory

adjective per-FUNK-tuh-ree

What It Means

1 : characterized by routine or superficiality : mechanical

2 : lacking in interest or enthusiasm

perfunctory in Context

Clearly exhausted after a long day on her feet, our server gave us only a perfunctory greeting before taking our drink orders.

Did You Know?

"Perfunctory" is a word whose origins are found entirely in Latin. First appearing in English in the late 16th century, it derives via the Late Latin "perfunctorius," meaning "done in a careless or superficial manner," from the Latin "perfungi," meaning "to accomplish" or "to get through with." That verb is formed by combining the prefix "per-," meaning "through," with the verb "fungi," meaning "to perform." "Fungi" can be found in the roots of such words as "function," "defunct," and "fungible." "Perfunctory" can describe something that is carried out with little effort or care, as in "He did a perfunctory job raking the leaves," but when used to describe a person it usually means "lacking enthusiasm."

*Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence.