imperfect

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

|Updated on: 19 Aug 2018

Examples: imperfect in a Sentence

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

This continuity—while imperfect (see Packers running back Ty Montgomery, whom the league inexplicably allows to wear No.

— andy benoit, SI.com, "NFL and College Football Are Not the Same Game," 11 July 2018
Now, those aren’t projections based on detailed models, and the nature of TV contracts means revenue can be an imperfect measure of overall trends.

— david z. morris, Fortune, "NFL vs. NBA: Which Will Be America’s Biggest Sport 10 Years From Now?," 26 May 2018
To be sure, the percentage of fairways hit is an imperfect measure of accuracy.

— brian costa, WSJ, "In Golf’s ‘Bomb and Gouge’ Era, the Fairway Is an Afterthought," 18 May 2018
Better to have one imperfect thing—in this case, past-their-prime stars—then zero things altogether.

— daniel rapaport, SI.com, "FORE Questions: Breaking Down the New PGA Tour Schedule," 12 July 2018
Even many climate activists think the CPP was an imperfect solution – a way to use existing legislation in a somewhat clunky way, given the failure of Congress to craft a bill that more directly targets climate change and greenhouse gas emissions.

— mark trumbull, The Christian Science Monitor, "From new leadership to Clean Power Plan, subtle shifts ripple through EPA," 11 July 2018
Policy-wise, the relationship clearly is imperfect.

— Washington Post, "Friend or foe at NATO? Who knows when Trump comes to dinner," 10 July 2018
Policy-wise, the relationship clearly is imperfect.

— raf casert, Fox News, "Friend or foe at NATO? Who knows when Trump comes to dinner," 10 July 2018
Other Uber workers were pragmatists who saw it as an imperfect option, but the best available.

— kaye wiggins, Bloomberg.com, "Flanked by its Drivers, Uber Girds for a Battle in London Courts," 25 June 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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

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