Desultory
adjective
Lacking clear plan or purpose, jumping from topic to topic.
She had a desultory conversation with him.
Often appears as...
- desultory conversation
- desultory fashion
adjective
Irregular or disconnected, not in order.
Their desultory efforts were not enough.
Often appears as...
- desultory effort
- desultory glance
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
adjective
Lacking clear plan or purpose, jumping from topic to topic.
She had a desultory conversation with him.
Often appears as...
- desultory conversation
- desultory fashion
adjective
Irregular or disconnected, not in order.
Their desultory efforts were not enough.
Often appears as...
- desultory effort
- desultory glance
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Unfocused Dialogue
Use 'desultory' when the conversation jumps aimlessly between topics without any intention.
The meeting was frustrating with only desultory discussion and no decisions made.
Pro Tip 2/3Without Direction
'Desultory' suggests a lack of direction or focus, often seen as unproductive or negative.
Her desultory studying resulted in poor grades.
Pro Tip 3/3Not All Negative
Sometimes 'desultory' can imply casualness or relaxed behavior without a negative connotation.
They enjoyed a desultory stroll on the beach, chatting about everything and nothing.
Pro Tip 1/3Unfocused Dialogue
Use 'desultory' when the conversation jumps aimlessly between topics without any intention.
The meeting was frustrating with only desultory discussion and no decisions made.
Pro Tip 2/3Without Direction
'Desultory' suggests a lack of direction or focus, often seen as unproductive or negative.
Her desultory studying resulted in poor grades.
Pro Tip 3/3Not All Negative
Sometimes 'desultory' can imply casualness or relaxed behavior without a negative connotation.
They enjoyed a desultory stroll on the beach, chatting about everything and nothing.
Pro Tip 1/3Unfocused Dialogue
Use 'desultory' when the conversation jumps aimlessly between topics without any intention.
The meeting was frustrating with only desultory discussion and no decisions made.
Pro Tip 2/3Without Direction
'Desultory' suggests a lack of direction or focus, often seen as unproductive or negative.
Her desultory studying resulted in poor grades.
Pro Tip 3/3Not All Negative
Sometimes 'desultory' can imply casualness or relaxed behavior without a negative connotation.
They enjoyed a desultory stroll on the beach, chatting about everything and nothing.
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Quote examples
Bernard Cornwell
British Novelist
One book at a time... though I'm usually doing the research for others while I'm writing, but that sort of research is fairly desultory and I like to stick to the book being written - and writing a book concentrates the mind so the research is more productive.
Quote examples
Michael Dirda
American Critic
For me, the two weeks between Christmas and Twelfth Night have come to be reserved for desultory reading. The pressure of the holiday is over, the weather outside is frightful, there are lots of leftovers to munch on, vacation hours are being used up.
Quote examples
William Cowper
English Poet
The earth was made so various, that the mind Of desultory man, studious of change, And pleased with novelty, might be indulged.
Quote examples
F. Sionil Jose
Filipino Writer
My reading of philosophy and history is desultory; I know so much and yet so little.
Quote examples
Bernard Cornwell
British Novelist
One book at a time... though I'm usually doing the research for others while I'm writing, but that sort of research is fairly desultory and I like to stick to the book being written - and writing a book concentrates the mind so the research is more productive.
Quote examples
Michael Dirda
American Critic
For me, the two weeks between Christmas and Twelfth Night have come to be reserved for desultory reading. The pressure of the holiday is over, the weather outside is frightful, there are lots of leftovers to munch on, vacation hours are being used up.
Quote examples
William Cowper
English Poet
The earth was made so various, that the mind Of desultory man, studious of change, And pleased with novelty, might be indulged.
Quote examples
F. Sionil Jose
Filipino Writer
My reading of philosophy and history is desultory; I know so much and yet so little.
Example 1 of 4
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