Done without care or interest as a duty or routine; carried out with minimal effort or enthusiasm. Something perfunctory is done merely to fulfill an obligation.
From Latin perfunctorius, from perfungi meaning 'to get through with,' combining per (through) and fungi (to perform). The original sense was simply 'performed,' but it evolved to emphasize the mechanical, unenthusiastic nature of the performance.
Break it down as 'per-FUNK-tory' — when you're in a funk, you do things perfunctorily, without any real energy or care. It's like going through the motions when your heart isn't in it.
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