perfective

adjective

per·​fec·​tive pər-ˈfek-tiv How to pronounce perfective (audio)
 also  ˈpər-fik-
1
archaic
a
: tending to make perfect
b
: becoming better
2
: expressing action as complete or as implying the notion of completion, conclusion, or result
perfective verb
perfective noun
perfectively adverb
perfectiveness noun
perfectivity
pər-ˌfek-ˈti-və-tē How to pronounce perfective (audio)
 also  ˌpər-fik-
noun

Word History

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of perfective was in 1590

Dictionary Entries Near perfective

Cite this Entry

“Perfective.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perfective. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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