imperfect

1 of 2

adjective

im·​per·​fect (ˌ)im-ˈpər-fikt How to pronounce imperfect (audio)
1
: not perfect: such as
a
: flawed in form, structure, or function : defective, deficient
an imperfect world
an imperfect system
conclusions based on imperfect data
b
of a flower : having stamens or pistils but not both
c
: lacking or not involving sexual reproduction
the imperfect stage of a fungus
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
imperfectly adverb
imperfectness noun

imperfect

2 of 2

noun

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
2
: 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 Web
Adjective
This confusion stemmed from the reality that data is often imperfect, said Brian Edward Dixon, Director of Public Health Informatics at the Regenstrief Institute and a professor at the IU Fairbanks School of Public Health. Binghui Huang, The Indianapolis Star, 26 Mar. 2024 Emergency calls also are an imperfect gauge: the plane might not have been in immediate danger, and sometimes planes in trouble never alert controllers. David Koenig, Quartz, 22 Mar. 2024 The analogy may be imperfect, but the mental-health crisis affecting the city — a problem that is partially, but in no way totally, responsible for reduced ridership on the subway — could be tackled in the same vein. Ginia Bellafante, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2024 That data is messy and imperfect but better than data from other conflicts, says Spiegel. Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 1 Mar. 2024 In most cases, their eventual success hinges upon a slew of early-stage high-stakes decisions made under the paradigm of imperfect information. Columbia Business School - The Eugene Lang Entrepreneurship Center, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Children’s body mass index — imperfect as the measurement is — is calculated in the same way (weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared), but the threshold for obesity is not a BMI of 30 or above. Andrea Kane, CNN, 24 Feb. 2024 These imperfect future parents want a baby more than anything in the world. Peter Debruge, Variety, 9 Mar. 2024 Tarasenko was on the ice when a 4-on-4 sequence ended, and got stuck playing on an imperfect forward line next to fellow wingers Matthew Tkachuk and Carter Verhaeghe. David Wilson, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 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.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

alteration of Middle English imparfit, from Latin imperfectus, from in- + perfectus perfect

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1569, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of imperfect was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near imperfect

Cite this Entry

“Imperfect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imperfect. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

imperfect

1 of 2 adjective
im·​per·​fect (ˈ)im-ˈpər-fikt How to pronounce imperfect (audio)
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
imperfectly adverb

imperfect

2 of 2 noun
: the imperfect tense of a verb or a verb in this tense

Legal Definition

imperfect

adjective
im·​per·​fect
: not perfect or complete: as
a
: not enforceable : enforceable only under certain conditions
an imperfect obligation
b
: lacking an element otherwise required by law compare perfect

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