Desultory

/ˈdɛs.əl.tɔː.ri/

Meaning & Definition

adjective

Lacking a plan, purpose, or enthusiasm; occurring by chance.

His desultory approach to studying for the exam left him unprepared when the day arrived.

Jumping from one thing to another; disconnected.

The conversation was desultory, drifting from topic to topic without any clear direction.

Random; erratic.

She made a desultory attempt to clean her room, spending more time on her phone than tidying up.

From Latin desultorius, from desultor, meaning 'a leaper' or 'an acrobat', from desultus, past participle of desilire 'to leap down'.

desultory conversation

a conversation that lacks a clear direction or focus.

desultory effort

an effort that is inconsistent and lacks persistence.

desultory thoughts

thoughts that are disconnected and not coherent.

rambling

going from one subject to another without any clear purpose.

erratic

irregular in performance or behavior; unpredictable.

meandering

following a winding course; wandering aimlessly.

scattered thoughts

His notes were just a collection of desultory thoughts with no coherence.

half-hearted efforts

She gave a desultory attempt to clean the room before giving up.