perfection

noun

per·​fec·​tion pər-ˈfek-shən 

1

: the quality or state of being perfect: such as

a

: freedom from fault or defect : flawlessness

b

: maturity

c

: the quality or state of being saintly

2

a

: an exemplification of supreme excellence

b

: an unsurpassable degree of accuracy or excellence

3

: the act or process of perfecting

Synonyms

• excellence
• excellency

Examples of perfection in a Sentence

She has achieved a rare perfection in her playing.

His poetry is pure perfection.

Recent Examples on the Web

But perfection is never the goal. —Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025

Cheerleading is often portrayed as a performance of effortless perfection and symmetry. —Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2025

The same goes for Charli XCX who, in a Danielle Frankel slip and Vivienne Westwood corset dress, made the case for uptight brides to let go of their pursuit of perfection and just let loose. —Emily Mercer, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2025

Staying grounded amid expectations Talent alone doesn’t win championships, and the Bobcats know that chasing perfection while making history requires mental toughness. —Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English perfeccioun, from Anglo-French perfection, from Latin perfection-, perfectio, from perficere

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing perfection

• to perfection

Rhymes for perfection

• abjection
• advection
• affection
• bijection
• bisection
• collection
• complexion
• confection
• connection
• connexion
• convection
• correction

Kids Definition

perfection

noun

per·​fec·​tion pər-ˈfek-shən 

1

: the quality or state of being perfect

2

: a perfect quality or thing

3

: a degree of accuracy or excellence that cannot be bettered

cooked to perfection

4

: the act or process of perfecting