imperfect

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

|Updated on: 10 Jun 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

The pardon power is necessary in an imperfect justice system.

— jeet heer, The New Republic, "Trump is pardon-giddy. Is that a constitutional problem?," 6 June 2018
Full of imperfect lovers and dreamers, Love/Sick is an unromantic comedy for the romantic in everyone.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The Manchester Edition," 5 June 2018
Democrats seeking to capitalize on the angry energy stirred in their ranks by President Donald Trump are finding their gubernatorial candidates to be imperfect standard bearers for opposing views of the path to progress.

— peggy fikac, San Antonio Express-News, "Democrats looking for a brighter future torn between White, Valdez," 20 May 2018
For improvisers, recordings are imperfect documents of a practice that’s meant to be experienced in person, but Jones’s operates with a heightened sense of community ethos.

— peter margasak, Chicago Reader, "Electronic improviser Bonnie Jones highlights community in her abstract sound practice," 17 May 2018
In its statement, Tesla admits that Autopilot is an imperfect system, but argues its far better than the alternative.

— andrew j. hawkins, The Verge, "Tesla says Autopilot was engaged during fatal Model X crash," 31 Mar. 2018
Full of imperfect lovers and dreamers, Love/Sick is an unromantic comedy for the romantic in everyone.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The Manchester Edition," 21 May 2018
Titles from the open-access publisher tend to rank poorly on impact factor, a measure — albeit highly imperfect — of how often their articles are cited.

— adam marcus, STAT, "Surgical device firm demands the retraction of a study paid for by its rival," 8 May 2018
Add to that an imperfect manufacturing process and even a 'good match' reformulation may not be as effective as scientists would like.

— susan scutti, CNN, "Flu vaccine, even when just 20% effective, saves tens of thousands of lives," 30 Apr. 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

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

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Phrases

Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

imperfect

Definition of imperfect

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First Known Use of imperfect

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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

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