ENGLISH DICTIONARY

Desultory

Definition, Meaning & Examples

Pronunciation /ˈdɛs.əl.t(ə).ɹi/ · Part of speech adjective

Quick meaning: Desultory is an adjective meaning Jumping, or passing, from one thing or subject to another, without order, planning, or rational connection; lacking logical sequence.

Meaning

Jumping, or passing, from one thing or subject to another, without order, planning, or rational connection; lacking logical sequence.

More Meanings

  1. Out of course; by the way; not connected with the subject.
  2. Disappointing in performance or progress.
  3. (obsolete) Leaping, skipping or flitting about, generally in a random or unsteady manner.

Example Sentences

I teach a class of desultory minds.
subject to desultory fire from the enemy
She made a desultory attempt at conversation.
He wandered round, cleaning up in a desultory way.

Synonyms for desultory

Depending on context, synonyms include disconnected, unmethodical, aimless, quodlibetic, quodlibetical, half-assed.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include purposeless, abrupt, orderless, cursory, indirected, directionless.

Related Dictionary Tools

Sources & Attribution

FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0

Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.