flawless
FLAW-luhs
Flawless (adj) means Completely without fault or defect; perfect. Example: “She gave a flawless performance on opening night.”
adj
1
Completely without fault or defect; perfect.
"Then he carefully examined the trunk, going over it with a magnifying glass. He found it intact: the steel bands were flawless; the whole trunk was compact into unity."
— Bram Stoker, The Chest Opened (1911)
"She gave a flawless performance on opening night."
"His flawless English surprised everyone at the meeting."
"City's victory was secured in first-half injury time when Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet made a hash of his attempt to keep out Alvaro Negredo's chip, ensuring Manuel Pellegrini's side kept their flawless home league record."
— Phil McNulty, Manchester City 2 – 1 Liverpool (2013)
"The pianist’s performance this evening was flawless."
How to use flawless
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishPerfect, with no defects at all.
Common pairings
flawless skin
flawless execution
flawless performance
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- flawlesses
- Past tense
- flawlessed
- Comparative
- more flawless
- Superlative
- most flawless
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She gave a _____ performance on opening night.
Etymology
From "flaw" + "-less."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for flawless
See all rhymes for flawless →Frequently asked questions
What does “flawless” mean?
The word “flawless” means completely without fault or defect; perfect. In plain terms, perfect, with no defects at all.
How do you pronounce “flawless”?
“Flawless” is pronounced FLAW-luhs (/ˈflɔləs/ in IPA).
How do you use “flawless” in a sentence?
Here is “flawless” used in a sentence: “She gave a flawless performance on opening night.”
What is the opposite of “flawless”?
The opposite of “flawless” — its antonyms — are defective, faulty and flawed.
What part of speech is “flawless”?
“Flawless” is an adjective.
Is “flawless” a common word?
“Flawless” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between flawless and perfect?
The words are near-synonyms, but "flawless" specifically emphasizes the complete absence of defects or blemishes, while "perfect" is broader and can also mean ideally suited or exactly right for a purpose. A performance called flawless focuses on the lack of errors, while calling it perfect might also praise its overall suitability.
What kinds of things are commonly described as flawless?
"Flawless" is often used for skin, complexions, performances, and technique, such as a "flawless complexion" or a "flawless performance." It emphasizes that no defect or error could be found under close inspection.
Is "flawless" an exaggeration, or can it be used literally?
It can be used both ways: literally, to mean genuinely free of any detectable defect, such as a flawless diamond, or as enthusiastic exaggeration in casual speech, such as calling a meal "flawless." Context signals whether it's a precise technical claim or simply a compliment.
