im·per·fect
(ˌ)im-ˈpər-fikt 
1
2
: of, relating to, or constituting a verb tense used to designate a continuing state or an incomplete action especially in the past
The Spanish word bailábamos ("we were dancing, we used to dance") is in the imperfect tense.
3
: not enforceable by law : enforceable only under certain conditions
That obligation would be a constitutional duty and a political obligation, but not a legally enforceable one. In legal terms, it would be described as a "duty of imperfect obligation."—
Anne Twomey
Anne Twomey
plural imperfects
1
: something that is flawed or imperfect
Much of what the company sells are "imperfects," or produce that's too small, too big or oddly shaped but perfectly good to eat.—Gloria Dawson
Gloria Dawson2
: an imperfect (see imperfect entry 1 sense 2) tense
a verb in the imperfect
also
: the verb form expressing it
Imperfects are used to indicate ongoing or repeated past action.
Examples of imperfect in a Sentence
Adjective
It's an imperfect solution to a difficult problem.
He had an imperfect understanding of the task.
In “He was singing when I came in,” “was singing” is in the imperfect tense.
Recent Examples on the WebJames Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Apr. 2024
The illiberals aren’t the people defending the right of an imperfect but embattled democracy to defend its territory and save its hostages.
—Bret Stephens, The Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2024
Offsets are an obvious, if imperfect, way to fund projects that mitigate climate-warming emissions.
—Lydia Depillis, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
The actual world is, obviously, imperfect, as are most of us.
—Perrie Samotin, Glamour, 29 Mar. 2024
Her hair is long and loose per usual, but enhanced by fresh set of choppy, perfectly imperfect bangs.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 22 Mar. 2024
Sabzian’s skill at deception, imperfect but nonetheless sublime, comes off as a kind of art, and indeed a cinematic one, as proved by the film that results.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 19 Mar. 2024
In the course of one eventful year, with the help of a fairy godmother/movie star best friend, the journalist weathers public humiliation, finds true love and learns to accept herself, and her life, in all of its messy, imperfect glory.
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Apr. 2024
For decades, men hoping to manage their fertility have been limited to just two imperfect options—condoms or vasectomies.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 3 Apr. 2024
Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica, 25 Aug. 2023
But in 2002, a single study, its design imperfect, found links between hormone therapy and elevated health risks for women of all ages.
—Susan Dominus, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2023
But that’s an imperfect means of protection, shown to miss anywhere from 30% to 70% of people who are in the early stages of an infection.
—Melissa Healystaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2023
Its endless affection for Jimmy is touching on one hand, propping him up as an imperfect soul who’s nevertheless worthy of Paul’s guidance, Sean’s trust and Alice’s love.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Jan. 2023
But putting a threatening bed of piano music under various winners as a way to signal whose time was less valuable seemed like an imperfect option: In this case, no overlong speaker was dithering, wasting time, or listing names.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 10 Jan. 2023
The portraits of his mother and grandmother — two imperfect but loving, spirited women — are particularly vivid and appreciative.
—Nancy Lord, Anchorage Daily News, 10 Dec. 2022
The current study, in contrast, does not factor in any additional greenhouse gas emissions or specify when the melting would take place, making the comparison with the U.N. report imperfect.
—Chris Mooney, Washington Post, 29 Aug. 2022
This is a loving and unflinching portrait of a search for community, imperfect but constant.
—Lauren Leblanc, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Aug. 2022
Adjective
The recent Late Night With the Devil controversy seems like the closest comparison, if a rather imperfect one.
—James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Apr. 2024
The illiberals aren’t the people defending the right of an imperfect but embattled democracy to defend its territory and save its hostages.
—Bret Stephens, The Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2024
Offsets are an obvious, if imperfect, way to fund projects that mitigate climate-warming emissions.
—Lydia Depillis, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
The actual world is, obviously, imperfect, as are most of us.
—Perrie Samotin, Glamour, 29 Mar. 2024
Her hair is long and loose per usual, but enhanced by fresh set of choppy, perfectly imperfect bangs.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 22 Mar. 2024
Sabzian’s skill at deception, imperfect but nonetheless sublime, comes off as a kind of art, and indeed a cinematic one, as proved by the film that results.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 19 Mar. 2024
In the course of one eventful year, with the help of a fairy godmother/movie star best friend, the journalist weathers public humiliation, finds true love and learns to accept herself, and her life, in all of its messy, imperfect glory.
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Apr. 2024
For decades, men hoping to manage their fertility have been limited to just two imperfect options—condoms or vasectomies.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 3 Apr. 2024
Noun
On the whole, Google's spam filter, though in this instance imperfect, is not morally blameworthy.
—Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica, 25 Aug. 2023
But in 2002, a single study, its design imperfect, found links between hormone therapy and elevated health risks for women of all ages.
—Susan Dominus, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2023
But that’s an imperfect means of protection, shown to miss anywhere from 30% to 70% of people who are in the early stages of an infection.
—Melissa Healystaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2023
Its endless affection for Jimmy is touching on one hand, propping him up as an imperfect soul who’s nevertheless worthy of Paul’s guidance, Sean’s trust and Alice’s love.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Jan. 2023
But putting a threatening bed of piano music under various winners as a way to signal whose time was less valuable seemed like an imperfect option: In this case, no overlong speaker was dithering, wasting time, or listing names.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 10 Jan. 2023
The portraits of his mother and grandmother — two imperfect but loving, spirited women — are particularly vivid and appreciative.
—Nancy Lord, Anchorage Daily News, 10 Dec. 2022
The current study, in contrast, does not factor in any additional greenhouse gas emissions or specify when the melting would take place, making the comparison with the U.N. report imperfect.
—Chris Mooney, Washington Post, 29 Aug. 2022
This is a loving and unflinching portrait of a search for community, imperfect but constant.
—Lauren Leblanc, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Aug. 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'imperfect.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to imperfect
Dictionary Entries Near imperfect
Cite this Entry
“Imperfect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imperfect. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
imperfect
1 of 2 adjective
im·per·fect
(ˈ)im-ˈpər-fikt
1
: not perfect:
a
: defective
imperfect clothing
b
: having stamens or pistils but not being a flower with both
2
: of, relating to, or being a verb tense used to express a continuing state or an incomplete action especially in the past
imperfect
2 of 2 noun
: the imperfect tense of a verb or a verb in this tense
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