sinecure

/ˌsɪnəˈkjʊər/

Other forms: sinecures

If you have a cushy job — one that pays, but involves minimal work — then you have a sinecure. "Because he was the brother of the CEO, he was offered a sinecure in the company: he showed up each day and collected a paycheck, but others actually did his work."

The noun sinecure comes from the Latin root words sine cura meaning "without care." It originally was used to describe a church position that did not include caring for the souls of parishioners, but that meaning is considered archaic now. The word is now usually associated with political appointments.

Definitions of sinecure

1. noun

   an office that involves minimal duties
   type of:

   berth, billet, office, place, position, post, situation, spot

   a job in an organization
2. noun

   a benefice to which no spiritual or pastoral duties are attached
   type of:

   benefice, ecclesiastical benefice

   an endowed church office giving income to its holder