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-book, 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
It would be called Miami Freedom Park, and the name is perfect. — Greg Cote, miamiherald, "Let voters decide! Why Beckham group's soccer stadium plan deserves to be on ballot," 9 July 2018 Hike: Your footwear should be perfect — just the right hiking boot, insole and sock. — Tom Stienstra, SFChronicle.com, "Tom Stienstra’s 10 must-dos when you head outdoors for vacation," 2 July 2018 Floating along the lazy Russian River in an inner tube accessorized with an inflatable pink flamingo cooler is a perfect way to while away the summer. — Catherine Bigelow, SFChronicle.com, "Summer’s R&R hot spots from SF’s social set," 10 July 2018 Matthews family was understandably shocked by the news of their son's death, but remembered him in almost the perfect way. — Nihal Kolur, SI.com, "Celtics Fan Remembered At Funeral By Playing NBA2K In Kyrie Irving Jersey," 9 July 2018 Having Mr Trump sit and listen as other leaders drone on would seem the perfect way to exasperate him. — The Economist, "Will Donald Trump be Triumphant, Tetchy or Torpedo?," 5 July 2018 But comedian Michael Torpey says a comedy trivia show is actually a perfect way to highlight the the absurdity of the student loan problem, which now impacts about 44 million Americans—or 18% of all U.S. adults. — Lucinda Shen, Fortune, "New TruTV Game Show Lets Student Borrowers Compete to Tame Their Debt," 5 July 2018 There’s also this Betty and Veronica graphic T-shirt, which is the perfect way to rep both ladies equally. — Mekita Rivas, Teen Vogue, "Torrid Launches Size-Inclusive Riverdale Merch," 29 June 2018 Andrews says this is the perfect way to climb trees, even for people who might have a fear of heights because the ropes allow people to go at their own pace. — Amy Schwabe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Here's 7 ways you and your kids can explore new heights in and around Milwaukee," 28 June 2018Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
If nothing else, the movie’s star, Bob Hoskins, should be properly remembered for perfecting a whole new style of acting that has only come to take over big-budget studio movies more and more. — Todd Vanderwerff, Vox, "Chinatown, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and L.A. Confidential explore the shady deals that built the sprawling megalopolis.," 22 June 2018 From German lagers to British ales and even an American style nearly forgotten to history, founder Dan Sundstrom says the beers are more about perfecting what’s in the box than thinking outside of it. — John Verive, Los Angeles Magazine, "10 New L.A. Breweries That Should Be on Your Beer Week Radar," 11 June 2018 While Oldis is working on perfecting the movement and speech of our dreams, professor Yukiyasu Kamitani at Kyoto University in Japan is working on decoding the images. — Charlotte Hawks, CNN, "How close are we to video-recording our dreams?," 4 Apr. 2018 By using fresh steak every morning and marinating the meat and using only Amaroso's Rolls from Philadelphia, Gonzalez feels he's perfected the Philly cheesesteak sandwich. — Shonda Talerico Dudlicek, Aurora Beacon-News, "Want a Philly cheesesteak? Come to North Aurora," 15 Mar. 2018 Available at retailers nationwide this month ($9.99 for an 8-ounce jar), the powder is also Paleo-certified and perfect for shaking atop oats, blending in smoothies and beverages, or baking into almost anything. — Celestina Blok, star-telegram, "Restaurant news: South Main grows, Sundance gets Funky and Waterside goes coastal," 5 July 2018 Samples of Outkast's Big Boi and Mos Def give voice to a relaxing musical experience perfect for soundtracking those lazy days spent lounging around the house with friends. — Kat Bein, Billboard, "10 Songs About Unity & Coming Together," 2 July 2018 This new tomato was arguably short on taste, but perfect for breeding. — Amy Bentley, BostonGlobe.com, "Is ketchup the perfect complement to the American diet?," 10 June 2018 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 2018Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
While at Wimbledon today, July 14, Emma once again slayed the outfit game with an ensemble perfect for summer. — De Elizabeth, Teen Vogue, "Emma Watson Wears White Three-Piece Suit at Wimbledon," 14 July 2018 Less than 15 minutes after his goal, Messi found Gonzalo Higuain with an inch-perfect through ball but the striker was unable to capitalise, seeing his shot saved by Uzoho. — SI.com, "Nigeria 1-2 Argentina: Late Show By Rojo Sees La Albiceleste Sneak Into Knockout Stages of World Cup," 26 June 2018 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. 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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Dictionary Entries near perfect
Statistics for perfect
Last Updated
8 Nov 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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