noun
perfectionist
p-FEHK-shuh-nihst
Perfectionist (noun) means a person who refuses to accept anything less than the highest standard, often to an excessive degree. Example: “As a perfectionist, she rewrote the report five times before submitting it.”
noun
1
A person who refuses to accept anything less than the highest standard, often to an excessive degree.
"As a perfectionist, she rewrote the report five times before submitting it."
adj
1
Demanding extremely high, sometimes unreasonable, standards.
"His perfectionist tendencies made him a difficult person to work with."
How to use perfectionist
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who always wants things to be flawless, sometimes to an unhealthy extent.
Common pairings
a perfectionist streak
perfectionist tendencies
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Word forms
- Plural
- perfectionists
- Comparative
- more perfectionist
- Superlative
- most perfectionist
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
As a _____, she rewrote the report five times before submitting it.
Etymology
Formed from "perfection" plus the suffix "-ist", denoting a person associated with a trait or belief.
Rhymes for perfectionist
Zionist
arsonist
antagonist
cartoonist
saxophonist
protagonist
illusionist
tobacconist
abolitionist
receptionist
nutritionist
exhibitionist
See all rhymes for perfectionist →
Frequently asked questions
What does “perfectionist” mean?
The word “perfectionist” means a person who refuses to accept anything less than the highest standard, often to an excessive degree. In plain terms, someone who always wants things to be flawless, sometimes to an unhealthy extent.
How do you pronounce “perfectionist”?
“Perfectionist” is pronounced p-FEHK-shuh-nihst (/pɚˈfɛk.ʃənɪst/ in IPA).
How do you use “perfectionist” in a sentence?
Here is “perfectionist” used in a sentence: “As a perfectionist, she rewrote the report five times before submitting it.”
What part of speech is “perfectionist”?
Depending on how it is used, “perfectionist” can be a noun and an adjective.
How many meanings does “perfectionist” have?
“Perfectionist” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who refuses to accept anything less than the highest standard, often to an excessive degree.
