Word Nerd Alert: Desultory

November 13, 2026 1 min read

Adjective · \ˈde-səl-ˌtȯr-ē\

1

marked by lack of definite plan, regularity, or purpose

“… a dragged-out ordeal of … desultory shopping.”

2

not connected with the main subject

“desultory comments”

3

disappointing in progress, performance, or quality

“a desultory fifth place finish”

Roots

Latin desultorius, literally, of a circus rider who leaps from horse to horse, from desilire to leap down, from de- + salire to leap

Close cousins

aimless, disconnected, quodlibetic, quodlibetical, unmethodical

First known use

1581

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