perfunctory UK /pəˈfʌŋk.t(ə)ɹɪ/US /pɚˈfʌŋk.tɚ.i/ adjective2 •Done only or merely to conform to a minimal standard or to fulfill a protocol or presumptive duty.He then poured some wine for me to taste, and harassed me with perfunctory courtesies that had to be acknowledged. — 1976 •Performed in a careless or indifferent manner as a thing of rote.He did a perfunctory job cleaning his dad's car, finishing quickly but leaving a few spots still dirty. formsmore perfunctory · most perfunctory