desultory

/ˈdɛsəlˌtɔːri/ literary

Say it: DES-ul-tor-ee

1. adjective Lacking a plan, purpose, or enthusiasm; done without real interest or effort.
He made a desultory attempt to clean his room, mostly just pushing piles of clothes around.
2. adjective Moving or jumping from one thing to another in an unplanned or unfocused way.
Her desultory reading habits meant she started ten books for every one she finished.
3. adjective Occurring randomly or disconnectedly; fitful.
The project advanced in a series of desultory bursts of activity followed by long periods of inaction.

📖 Seen in the wild

The student's desultory efforts to study for the exam proved ineffective.
collected by @vocablast

✏️ desultory in a sentence

The committee's investigation was desultory at best, failing to follow up on key leads.
We had a desultory conversation about the weather, but never got to the real issue.
The novel followed the protagonist's desultory wanderings through post-war Europe.
After the main project was finished, the team worked in a desultory way on minor tasks.
A few desultory shoppers were wandering through the quiet mall on a Tuesday morning.
His career was a desultory series of part-time jobs that never led anywhere permanent.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

haphazard random aimless erratic unfocused disconnected meandering fitful

haphazard · implies a lack of order or organization, often due to carelessness.

random · suggests a complete lack of a discernible pattern or principle.

aimless · focuses on the absence of a goal or ultimate purpose.

erratic · highlights unpredictability and inconsistency in movement or behavior.

Opposites: systematic, methodical, focused, diligent, purposeful

🌱 Where it comes from

The word's origin is a circus act. It comes from the Latin 'desultor', which was the name for a performer who would leap from one horse to another at a full gallop. This vivid image of jumping between subjects without a set course perfectly captures the modern meaning of being unfocused and disconnected.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

desultory conversationdesultory mannerdesultory readingdesultory attemptdesultory fashion

Desultory is a formal and somewhat literary word that carries a distinctly negative connotation of laziness or lack of commitment. While you might describe a conversation as 'random' in casual speech, you would use 'desultory' in writing to suggest it was also dull and pointless. Be careful not to confuse it with words that sound similar, like 'derisory' (mocking) or 'dissolute' (immoral).

Word family: desultorily, desultoriness

💬 Quick answers

What does desultory mean in simple terms?

It describes something that lacks a plan, purpose, or enthusiasm, often seeming random, half-hearted, or disconnected.

What's the difference between desultory and haphazard?

Desultory emphasizes a lack of purpose or enthusiasm, while haphazard stresses a lack of order or care. A desultory effort is unenthusiastic; a haphazard one is simply disorganized.

Is desultory a negative word?

Yes, it usually has a negative connotation, implying that something is unfocused, lazy, or ineffective because it lacks a clear plan or consistent effort.

How do you pronounce desultory?

It's pronounced DES-ul-tor-ee, with the stress on the first syllable.

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