pəɹˈfʌŋkt(ə)ɹɪli pəˈfʌŋk.t(ə)ɹɪ pɚˈfʌŋk.tɚ.i in a set manner without serious attention; as a formality they answered my letter pro forma he kissed her cheek perfunctorily done or produced as a formality only a one-candidate pro forma election