perfection

noun

per·​fec·​tion pər-ˈfek-shən How to pronounce perfection (audio)
1
: the quality or state of being perfect: such as
a
: freedom from fault or defect : flawlessness
b
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 See All Example Sentences for perfection

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of perfection was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Perfection.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perfection. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

perfection

noun
per·​fec·​tion pər-ˈfek-shən How to pronounce perfection (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on perfection

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!