What does desultory mean?
Desultory is an adjective describing something done without plan, purpose, or steady application — activity that drifts from one thing to another with no connecting thread. A desultory conversation skips fitfully between topics; a desultory attempt at work consists of brief, unenthusiastic efforts that never amount to much. The word carries a mildly disapproving tone: it implies not merely casualness but a failure of focus or commitment. It is somewhat formal or literary in register, appearing frequently in criticism, journalism, and narrative prose rather than casual speech. Typical collocations include "desultory conversation," "desultory manner," and "desultory reading." Its derivatives are the adverb "desultorily" and the noun "desultoriness." The word's vivid history makes it memorable: it derives from the Latin desultor, a circus performer who jumped from one galloping horse to another — an image that survives in the word's sense of restless, disconnected movement from thing to thing.
Lacking a plan, order, or continuity; moving aimlessly from one thing to another.
"After dinner the guests fell into desultory talk about books and travel."
Usually applied to actions, efforts, or discourse rather than to people; often implies mild criticism of a lack of energy or commitment.
(Of conversation, reading, or thought) Passing abruptly and disconnectedly from one subject to another.
"Her notes were desultory, jumping from economics to philosophy without transition."
Desultory comes from the Latin desultor — a circus rider who leapt from horse to horse mid-gallop — which is why it still describes anything that jumps around without settling anywhere.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of desultory
Desultory comes from the Latin adjective desultorius, formed from desultor, meaning a vaulter or leaper — specifically the circus rider who sprang from horse to horse during a performance. The root is the Latin verb desilire, "to leap down," combining de- (down) with salire (to leap). English adopted the word in the early seventeenth century, first using it literally for leaping before shifting to its figurative senses. It shares the salire root with words such as result, insult, exultant, and resile.
Related word forms
How desultory is actually used
Desultory is a fairly formal or literary word, more common in writing than everyday speech. It often carries a mildly critical connotation, suggesting lack of commitment, energy, or focus — a desultory effort is typically judged to have fallen short. It applies most naturally to activities (conversation, reading, work, attempts) rather than to people directly, though "a desultory man" is possible.
Easily confused with desultory
"Cursory" means hasty and superficial (done quickly without attention), while "desultory" means disconnected and lacking a plan — one describes speed of effort, the other its lack of direction.