Definition

1. Noun:
   • An office or position that requires little or no work but provides a salary or other benefits: A sinecure is a job or appointment that involves minimal duties or responsibilities, often as a reward for past service or through patronage.
   • A church benefice to which no spiritual or pastoral duties are attached: Historically, a sinecure could be a position in the church that provided an income without requiring the holder to perform religious duties.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • After his long political career, he was given a sinecure on the board of directors, requiring only a few meetings a year.
  • In the 18th century, many younger sons of the aristocracy were given sinecures in the church.

Advanced Usage

• "To hold a sinecure": To occupy a position that requires little work.
  • He was accused of merely holding a sinecure while others did the actual labor.
• "A political sinecure": A government position with few duties, often used for patronage.
  • The ambassador's post was widely seen as a political sinecure for the party's major donor.

Variants and Related Words

• Sinecurist (noun): A person who holds a sinecure.
  • The reform aimed to eliminate sinecurists from the public payroll.

Synonyms

• Cushy job: (Informal) An easy, well-paid job.
• Plum: (Informal) A highly desirable position, especially one that is profitable or requires little effort.
• Soft job/berth: An undemanding, comfortable position.

Related Phrases

• A job for the boys: (Idiomatic, chiefly British) A position given to friends or associates, often implying it is a sinecure.
  • The contract award was criticized as just another job for the boys.

Related Idioms

• A gravy train: (Idiom) A situation in which someone can easily make a lot of money for little effort.
  • His appointment was seen as a chance to get on the gravy train.
• Featherbedding: (Noun) The practice of requiring more people than necessary for a job, creating a form of institutional sinecure.
  • The union was accused of featherbedding to protect unnecessary jobs.

Noun

1. an office that involves minimal duties
2. a benefice to which no spiritual or pastoral duties are attached