sinecure

/'sainikjuə/
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sinecure

The professor held a sinecure that required only occasional lectures.

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.
sinecure

The professor held a sinecure that required only occasional lectures.

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