perfect
10 synonyms and 5 antonyms for perfect, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Without any flaws or mistakes; as good as something can possibly be.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use perfect
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin perfectus, "completed, finished", from perficere ("to finish, accomplish"), from per- ("thoroughly") + facere ("to do or make").
Full origin of perfect →Frequently asked questions
What does “perfect” mean?
The word “perfect” means without any flaws or mistakes; as good as something can possibly be. In plain terms, flawless, or exactly right for a particular purpose.
How do you pronounce “perfect”?
“Perfect” is pronounced PUR-fihkt (/ˈpɝ.fɪkt/ in IPA).
How do you use “perfect” in a sentence?
Here is “perfect” used in a sentence: “The weather was perfect for a picnic.”
What is another word for “perfect”?
Words with a similar meaning to “perfect” include faultless, infallible, hermaphroditic and preterperfect.
What is the opposite of “perfect”?
The opposite of “perfect” — its antonyms — are faulty, flawed, faultful, fallible and imperfect.
What part of speech is “perfect”?
Depending on how it is used, “perfect” can be an adjective, a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “perfect” come from?
The word “perfect” comes from Latin. From Latin perfectus, "completed, finished", from perficere ("to finish, accomplish"), from per- ("thoroughly") + facere ("to do or make").
Is “perfect” a common word?
“Perfect” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between perfect and flawless?
The two are close synonyms. Flawless means having no flaws or blemishes — a flawless surface, a flawless performance. Perfect goes a step further, suggesting something is not just free of faults but as good as it could possibly be. Everything perfect is flawless, but perfect adds the sense of complete excellence.
Can anything be truly perfect?
In practice, perfection is rare and often debated, since almost anything can be improved or judged differently by different people. The word is still useful, though, whether describing a flawless diamond, a faultless test score, or an ideal fit. Often 'perfect' means as close to flawless as realistically possible.
What is the opposite of perfect?
The main opposites are imperfect, flawed, and faulty, all meaning something contains mistakes or shortcomings. Defective fits when a thing does not work as it should. Each contrasts with perfect by pointing to the very faults that a perfect thing, by definition, does not have.
What is an example of perfect?
A test answered correctly with full marks is a perfect score. A gymnast who completes a routine without a single error gives a perfect performance. In each case, nothing is wrong and nothing could be better — the mark of something described as perfect.