perfect
adjective
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Definition of perfect
(Entry 1 of 3)
1a : being entirely without fault or defect : flawless a perfect diamond
b : satisfying all requirements : accurate
c : corresponding to an ideal standard or abstract concept a perfect gentleman
d : faithfully reproducing the original specifically : letter-perfect
e : legally valid
2 : expert, proficient practice makes perfect
b : lacking in no essential detail : complete
c obsolete : sane
d : absolute, unequivocal enjoys perfect happiness
e : of an extreme kind : unmitigated a perfect brat an act of perfect foolishness
4 obsolete : mature
5 : of, relating to, or constituting a verb form or verbal that expresses an action or state completed at the time of speaking or at a time spoken of
7 of a musical interval : belonging to the consonances unison, fourth, fifth, and octave which become augmented or diminished when raised or lowered by a half step
8a : sexually mature and fully differentiated a perfect insect
b : having both stamens and pistils in the same flower a perfect flower
perfect
verb
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Definition of perfect (Entry 2 of 3)
perfect
noun
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Definition of perfect (Entry 3 of 3)
: the perfect tense of a language also : a verb form in the perfect tense
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Other Words from perfect
Adjective
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noun
Verb
Synonyms & Antonyms for perfect
Synonyms: Adjective
absolute, faultless, flawless, ideal, immaculate, impeccable, indefectible, irreproachable, letter-perfect, picture-perfect, seamless, unblemished
Synonyms: Verb
ameliorate, amend, better, enhance, enrich, help, improve, meliorate, refine, upgrade
Antonyms: Adjective
amiss, bad, censurable, defective, faulty, flawed, imperfect, reproachable
Antonyms: Verb
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Examples of perfect in a Sentence
Adjective
He drew a perfect circle. She's a perfect baby. She hardly cries and she sleeps through the night. His behavior is a perfect example of what not to do. This is a perfect time to have a wedding. Going to the museum was a perfect way to spend a rainy day. “Is that a big enough piece of pie?” “Yes, it's perfect, thanks.”Verb
perfected the arrangements for their long-awaited European vacation an art teacher who seems to believe that you can always perfect a painting with some additional brush strokes
Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective
Bowls are perfect for busy people who don’t want to have to fuss with a separate side plate for salad. — Bee Wilson, WSJ, "The Comfort of Bowl Food," 13 July 2018 Even now that 40-shade foundation ranges are slowly-but-surely started to become an industry norm, many people are still stuck mixing multiple hues to find the perfect match. — Zoë Weiner, Teen Vogue, "NYX Launches New Full-Coverage Matte Foundation in 45 Shades," 12 July 2018 Hinge’s newest feature — Most Compatible — attempts to use all your cumulative data to find the perfect match for you. — Ashley Carman, The Verge, "Hinge’s newest feature claims to use machine learning to find your best match," 11 July 2018 Under the umbra, however, things will stay around 85 degrees Fahrenheit, perfect beach weather. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Upcoming Solar Probe Gets Its All-Important Heat Shield," 9 July 2018 Laureano was a perfect match for a little girl with leukemia. — Danielle Barker, ajc, "Army veteran meets the little girl he saved with his bone marrow donation," 6 July 2018 Ravens’ all black These uniforms were a perfect match for this team when its defense was at its height. — Steven Ruiz, For The Win, "Every NFL team's best alternate uniform, ranked," 3 July 2018 This application is another plausible usage of VR, as explored in an episode of Black Mirror imagining a dating app that runs countless simulations of couplings between potential partners to find the perfect match. — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, "Westworld’s Virtual Afterlife Might Not Be Fiction," 27 June 2018 Those knives were a perfect match and provided a crucial link connecting the crime scene to Holley's apartment fire. — CBS News, "Did a missing Army nurse fall prey to a serial killer targeting military women?," 26 June 2018Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
It's pigmented, beautifully blendable, and perfected my skin in a way that no other concealer had before it. — Tynan Sinks, Allure, "I Tried ColourPop's No Filter Foundation, and It Lasted Through an Entire Night Out," 27 June 2018 Dotson's 14-year-old son, Trevor, is less concerned about the potential for problems, and assumes the technology will be perfected in six or seven years. — Eric D. Lawrence, Detroit Free Press, "Concerned about self-driving cars? You're not alone," 26 Jan. 2018 Ross, who served in the Air Force, perfected the compellingly simple technique that art fans say is part of his appeal. — Julia Lyon, Washington Post, "People are waiting in line. Is it Hamilton? No, it’s Bob Ross on YouTube.," 13 July 2018 The two perfected the back-shoulder throw, on which Nelson scored so many of his touchdowns. — Michael Beller, SI.com, "Fantasy Football 2018 Busts: Will Leonard Fournette, Kareem Hunt Meet Expectations?," 3 July 2018 Unfortunately, even this reliable burger joint couldn’t perfect the black bean patty. — Zoe Sayler, The Seattle Times, "Seattle’s veggie burgers: Eating your vegetables never tasted this good," 3 July 2018 Nine Maryland programs achieved perfected single-year Academic Progress Rates for the 2016-17 academic year. — Katherine Fominykh, baltimoresun.com, "Five things to know about new Maryland athletic director Damon Evans," 26 June 2018 Through observation and experimentation, things like kayaks were perfected. — Anchorage Daily News, "Anchorage Museum takes a broad look at northern life in ‘North: Finding Place in Alaska’," 10 June 2018 They were enjoyed by early settlers but not perfected in the US. — Tom Maccubbin, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Enjoy sunflowers almost any time of the year," 6 June 2018Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
In its new spot, which formerly housed a deli, Kobalt will keep the same bright and open layout with an extended patio perfect for trivia nights, owner Jeff Perales said. — Garrett Mitchell, azcentral, "Kobalt nightclub closes Saturday; new Park Central Mall location opens soon," 29 June 2018 Thanks to her win, Zsa Zsa will go home with her title and a $1,500 prize, perfect for buying lots of treats and maybe a fancy new collar and leash to befit her royal status. — Kara Nesvig, Teen Vogue, "English Bulldog Wins 2018 World's Ugliest Dog Competition," 24 June 2018 Words come out the other side clean and tone-perfect. — Lisa Wood Shapiro, WIRED, "The End of Dyslexia," 18 June 2018 The bands hug your foot and make the shoe perfect for throwing on in a hurry, but stable enough for an impromptu hike. — Outside Online, "The Best Travel Shoes of 2018," 15 May 2018 This isn’t the first time Middleton appeared looking picture-perfect after giving birth. — Lisa Ryan, The Cut, "Kate Middleton and Prince William Step Out With Their New Royal Baby Boy," 23 Apr. 2018 From a pure passer (standpoint); being under center; three-, five-, seven-step drop; the most artistic, picture-perfect, pure passing quarterback is Josh Rosen. — Rich Campbell, chicagotribune.com, "Quarterbacks will shape the top of NFL draft while Bears enjoy the view," 13 Apr. 2018 The press-in-the-pan piecrust is truly no-fuss, sporting a crumblier texture but perfect for the creamy filling. — Amy Dewall Dadmun, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "'Revolving door' of summer visitors calls for special food," 19 May 2018 Every item — brocade sofas, velvet upholstered chairs, metal hinges, parquet de Versailles floors — is period perfect; Smith will brook no interruption of his rococo illusion. — Nancy Hass, New York Times, "In the Heart of Louisiana, One Man’s Impossibly Ornate Home," 8 May 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'perfect.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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Statistics for perfect
Last Updated
27 Sep 2018
Look-up Popularity
Time Traveler for perfect
The first known use of perfect was in the 14th century
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More Definitions for perfect
perfect
adjective
English Language Learners Definition of perfect
(Entry 1 of 2)
: having no mistakes or flaws
: completely correct or accurate
: having all the qualities you want in that kind of person, situation, etc.
perfect
verb
English Language Learners Definition of perfect (Entry 2 of 2)
: to make (something good) perfect or better
See the full definition for perfect in the English Language Learners Dictionary
perfect
adjective
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Kids Definition of perfect
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : having no mistake or flaw a perfect plan a perfect diamond
2 : satisfying all requirements It was the perfect ending to a perfect day.
3 : thoroughly skilled or trained : meeting the highest standards a perfect performance
4 : total entry 1 sense 3 perfect silence
perfect
verb
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Kids Definition of perfect (Entry 2 of 2)
: to improve (something) so that it has no flaws
perfect
adjective
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Legal Definition of perfect
(Entry 1 of 2)
: entirely without fault or defect: as
a : satisfying all requirements failed to make perfect tender
b : free from any valid legal objection : valid and effective at law having perfect title to the property — compare imperfect
perfect
transitive verb
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Legal Definition of perfect (Entry 2 of 2)
: to complete or put in final conformity with the law: as
a : to make (an appeal) ready for transfer to an appeals court by satisfying procedural requirements
b : to put (one's security interest) in a position or status having priority over subsequently perfected security interests or unperfected security interests by taking statutorily prescribed steps to give notice especially by filing a financing statement or taking possession of the collateral was the first creditor to perfect its security interest in the debtor's collateral, and, thus, was the first in priority for the collateral — Commercial Bank v. Pride Furniture, Inc., 877 P.2d 1222 (1994) — compare attach sense 3
: to make something (as a security interest) complete, in conformity with the law, or valid against third-party claims
Other Words from perfect
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noun
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