imperfect

adjective im·per·fect \ (ˌ)im-ˈpər-fikt \

Updated on: 16 Apr 2018

Definition of imperfect

1 : not perfect: such as

a : defective

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

3 : not enforceable at law

—

imperfectly

play \(ˌ)im-ˈpər-fik(t)-lē\ adverb

—

imperfectness

play \(ˌ)im-ˈpər-fik(t)-nəs\ noun

See imperfect defined for English-language learners

See imperfect defined for kids

Examples of imperfect in a Sentence

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 of imperfect from the Web

The victory over the Nationals (5-5), winners of four of the past six National League East crowns, epitomized the Mets’ formula so far this year: timely hitting, a stout bullpen, imperfect but inspired play, and the Midas touch of Callaway.

— james wagner, New York Times, "Hold On, the Mets Are 8-1?," 9 Apr. 2018
Instead, use a spoon to break it into perfectly imperfect pieces.

— julia black, Bon Appetit, "9 Ways to Stay Happy in Winter From People in the Coldest Places," 13 Jan. 2018
Fortunately, in Guadagnino’s and Visconti di Modrone’s hands, Villa Albergoni is the perfectly imperfect realization of the Perlmans’ Italian existence, a place that is at once grand in scale and intimate and rumpled in feel.

— vanessa lawrence, ELLE Decor, "Tour The 17th-Century Italian Villa In Director Luca Guadagnino’s 'Call Me By Your Name'," 7 Nov. 2017
Let your process of decision making be imperfect and trust that this is absolutely perfect.

— bess matassa, Teen Vogue, "Weekly Horoscopes January 8-14," 8 Jan. 2014
And what’s more perfectly imperfect than a slapdash shake of sprinkles?

— emma bazilian, House Beautiful, "Christina Tosi Infuses Her Baking, and the Rest of Her World, with Color," 29 Mar. 2018
Instead, Trump will slide across on GOP balance sheets from very imperfect asset to huge scary liability.

— ed kilgore, Daily Intelligencer, "A High Enough Democratic Wave Could Leave Trump Vulnerable to a Primary Challenge," 29 Mar. 2018
The first is that cheap, simple, imperfect solutions are often good enough.

— The Economist, "Bangladesh shows how to keep children alive," 22 Mar. 2018
The youth soccer space was imperfect but functional, and, most importantly, the kids were having fun.

— kyle martino, SI.com, "Kyle Martino: Reflecting on U.S. Soccer's Election, Our Persisting Youth Issue," 21 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'imperfect.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of imperfect

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

imperfect Synonyms

Phrases

on the blink;

Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

ablaut, allusion, anacoluthon, diacritic, gerund, idiom, infinitive, metaphor, semiotics, simile

imperfect

noun

Definition of imperfect

: an imperfect tense; also : the verb form expressing it

See imperfect defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of imperfect from the Web

Performances had been stuttering, results imperfect: At Santiago Bernabéu, the 85,000-seat stadium where Real Madrid plays its matches, one loss and three draws in 11 league games does not cut it.

— rory smith, New York Times, "Real Madrid Wins Easily in Zidane’s Debut as Coach JAN. 9, 2016," 2 Dec. 2016

First Known Use of imperfect

1871

Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

ablaut, allusion, anacoluthon, diacritic, gerund, idiom, infinitive, metaphor, semiotics, simile

IMPERFECT Defined for English Language Learners

imperfect

adjective

Definition of imperfect for English Language Learners

: having mistakes or problems : not perfect
grammar : of or relating to a verb tense used to express an incomplete action in the past or a state that continued for a period of time in the past

IMPERFECT Defined for Kids

imperfect

adjective im·per·fect \ im-ˈpər-fikt \

Definition of imperfect for Students

: having a fault of some kind : not perfect

—

imperfectly

adverb

Law Dictionary

imperfect

adjective im·per·fect

legal Definition of imperfect

: 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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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for imperfect Spanish Central: Translation of imperfect Nglish: Translation of imperfect for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of imperfect for Arabic speakers

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imperfect

Definition of imperfect

imperfectly

imperfectness

Examples of imperfect in a Sentence

Recent Examples of imperfect from the Web

Origin and Etymology of imperfect

imperfect Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

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Phrases

Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

imperfect

Definition of imperfect

Recent Examples of imperfect from the Web

First Known Use of imperfect

Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

Phrases Related to IMPERFECT

Related Phrases

IMPERFECT Defined for English Language Learners

imperfect

Definition of imperfect for English Language Learners

IMPERFECT Defined for Kids

imperfect

Definition of imperfect for Students

imperfectly

Law Dictionary

imperfect

legal Definition of imperfect

Learn More about imperfect

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