perfect
PUR-fihkt
Perfect (adj) means Without any flaws or mistakes; as good as something can possibly be. Example: “The weather was perfect for a picnic.”
adj
1
Without any flaws or mistakes; as good as something can possibly be.
"The weather was perfect for a picnic."
"Nobody's perfect, but she came close on the exam."
"The baker's cake looked perfect, with smooth icing and even layers."
2
Exactly matching a description or purpose; precisely suited.
"This flat is the perfect size for a young couple."
"This sofa is perfect for our small living room."
"He is the perfect person to lead the project."
noun
1
In grammar, a verb tense describing a completed action.
""Has finished" is an example of the present perfect tense."
"Our teacher asked us to put the sentence into the perfect."
"The perfect is formed with the verb have and a past participle."
verb
1
To improve something until it reaches the highest possible standard.
"She spent years perfecting her technique before the competition."
"The chef spent months perfecting his recipe for tomato soup."
"Practice every day if you want to perfect your piano playing."
How to use perfect
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFlawless, or exactly right for a particular purpose.
Common mistake
Strictly speaking, "perfect" is an absolute — many style guides say you shouldn't say "more perfect" or "very perfect", though it's common in casual speech.
Common pairings
perfect match
perfect score
absolutely perfect
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like perfect.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- perfects
- Third person singular
- perfects
- Past tense
- perfected
- Comparative
- perfecter, more perfect
- Superlative
- perfectest, most perfect
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The weather was _____ for a picnic.
Etymology
From Latin perfectus, "completed, finished", from perficere ("to finish, accomplish"), from per- ("thoroughly") + facere ("to do or make").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for perfect
See all rhymes for 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.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include perfect:
