a perfunctory greeting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a perfunctory greeting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a greeting that is done as a routine or obligation, without genuine feeling or enthusiasm. Example: "When he walked into the room, he offered a perfunctory greeting to his colleagues, barely making eye contact."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

A perfunctory greeting.

The Guardian - Opinion

There was no preamble from the coroner today; not even a perfunctory greeting.

The Guardian - Sport

The first time she enters the hospital cafeteria she walks past Andre's table with a perfunctory greeting.

The New York Times

A svelte hostess bestows a perfunctory greeting, as if irked at being roused from her photogenic torpor by something as humdrum as the arrival of guests.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

General conversation is now punctuated by a greater sense of sincerity that goes beyond the usual perfunctory greetings.

Critical Care

A few minutes later, he sat down to dinner and exchanged perfunctory greetings with LL Cool J, who was seated to his left.

The New York Times

Perfunctory greetings at door.

The New York Times

All over the world, people give perfunctory greetings to one another; they raise their hands to strangers and pass by, hardly waiting to see if a hand is lifted in reply.

The New Yorker

Never start a conversation without a greeting.

The Guardian - Travel

James Bond (really Sean Connery) delivered a video greeting.

The Economist

Funnyman Billy Crystal also shared a heartfelt greeting.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a perfunctory greeting" to describe situations where a greeting is exchanged out of obligation rather than genuine warmth. It's effective for highlighting social awkwardness or strained relationships.

Common error

Avoid using "a perfunctory greeting" too frequently in your writing. Overuse can make your prose sound repetitive. Vary your descriptions by using synonyms like "a quick nod" or "a curt hello" to add nuance and interest.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a perfunctory greeting" functions as a noun phrase, where "perfunctory" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "greeting". As evidenced by Ludwig, this phrase typically describes an action performed routinely and without genuine enthusiasm.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a perfunctory greeting" is a grammatically sound phrase used to depict a greeting lacking genuine warmth or enthusiasm. Ludwig AI indicates it's most frequently found in news and media sources, signaling a neutral register suitable for describing social interactions objectively. While correct and understandable, it’s advisable to use it judiciously, varying your descriptive language to maintain reader engagement. The related phrases like "a cursory salutation" or "a routine hello" offer similar but nuanced alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a cursory salutation

Replaces "greeting" with "salutation" and "perfunctory" with "cursory", indicating a hasty and superficial greeting.

a routine hello

Substitutes "perfunctory" with "routine", suggesting the greeting is a standard, unenthusiastic practice.

a superficial welcome

Replaces "greeting" with "welcome" and "perfunctory" with "superficial", emphasizing the lack of depth or sincerity.

a mechanical greeting

Uses "mechanical" instead of "perfunctory" to highlight the automated, emotionless nature of the greeting.

a halfhearted greeting

Replaces "perfunctory" with "halfhearted", indicating a lack of enthusiasm or effort in the greeting.

a cold greeting

Replaces "perfunctory" with "cold", focusing on the lack of warmth or friendliness in the greeting.

an indifferent greeting

Uses "indifferent" instead of "perfunctory" to stress the lack of interest or concern conveyed by the greeting.

a token greeting

Replaces "perfunctory" with "token", suggesting the greeting is done merely to fulfill an obligation.

a dismissive greeting

Uses "dismissive" instead of "perfunctory" to emphasize that the greeting is a way to quickly end an interaction.

a hasty acknowledgment

Changes both words to reflect a quick and impersonal recognition.

FAQs

How can I use "a perfunctory greeting" in a sentence?

You can use "a perfunctory greeting" to describe a greeting that is delivered without enthusiasm or genuine interest. For example: "He gave "a perfunctory greeting" and quickly moved on."

What's the difference between "a perfunctory greeting" and "a warm welcome"?

"A perfunctory greeting" implies a lack of genuine emotion or effort, often done out of obligation. In contrast, "a warm welcome" suggests genuine enthusiasm and friendliness.

What can I say instead of "a perfunctory greeting"?

You can use alternatives like "a cursory salutation", "a routine hello", or "a superficial welcome" depending on the context.

Is "a perfunctory greeting" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "a perfunctory greeting" is suitable for formal writing. It's precise and conveys a specific meaning effectively, especially when describing interpersonal dynamics in business or academic contexts.