1
a
: 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
3
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
8
a
: sexually mature and fully differentiated
a perfect insect
b
: having both stamens and pistils in the same flower
a perfect flower
perfected; perfecting; perfects
perfecter
noun
: the perfect tense of a language
also
: a verb form in the perfect tense
Synonyms
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
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Recent Examples on the Web
Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Nov. 2023
Whereas previous iterations might have been several millimeters too large for many wrists, this new reference is perfect for both men and women.
—Oren Hartov, Robb Report, 20 Nov. 2023
This 5-quart sauté pan is perfect for one-pot recipes, and the stylish exterior gives a pop of color to any kitchen aesthetic.
—Michelle Love, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Nov. 2023
The Minimalist's stick formulation is perfect for natural-looking coverage during chill, minimalist makeup days or touchups on the go.
—Sarah Hoffmann, Allure, 20 Nov. 2023
Fill in, perfect, and even exaggerate the top line before applying the bottom portion.
—Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 20 Nov. 2023
This vibrant city strikes a perfect balance between urban hustle and beach town relaxation.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 19 Nov. 2023
At least the van’s bumper has been rendered triumphantly trapezoidal, a true beacon unto the more privileged children driving to school in shiny, perfect sports cars.
—Heather Havrilesky, New York Times, 18 Nov. 2023
An exceptional choice for those seeking a seamless blend of performance and portability, this MacBook Pro features a sleek design, and a stunning Retina display, and is perfect for travel or cozy evenings by the fire.
—Stack Commerce, Popular Science, 9 Nov. 2023
Michael Schneider, Variety, 20 Nov. 2023
From mustard sauce to perfect glazes for spiral-cut baked ham, these recipes are the best ways to dress up one of our favorite meats for holidays, special occasions, and even the average weekday.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 16 Nov. 2023
His input over the past months has helped the Samson R&D team perfect the Switchblade prototype.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 13 Nov. 2023
Ever wanted to perfect your accent and pronunciation?
—Stack Commerce, Popular Science, 8 Nov. 2023
This Story The GOP’s Brand Is Chaos The Republicans have spent years perfecting their dysfunction.
—Jason Linkins, The New Republic, 4 Nov. 2023
Avoiding taxes is an art that companies have perfected over the last few decades.
—Alana Semuels, TIME, 23 Oct. 2023
The handshake was smooth, showing that these two have been working to perfect it.
—Scott Thompson, Fox News, 22 Oct. 2023
Lantry perfected his skill at internships with Manoa Chocolate Hawaii in Kailua, Hawaii, and with Chef Luis Amado at his chocolate academy in New York.
—Roxana Becerril, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Oct. 2023
Sofia Andrade, Washington Post, 20 July 2023
Maybe not like, Ioan Gruffudd-looking perfect, but good enough, certainly.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes, 6 May 2023
Progressives tore themselves apart in a constant struggle that repeatedly pitted the perfect against the merely good.
—Gerard Baker, WSJ, 9 Jan. 2023
Ewers was the nation’s top high school prospect heading into the 2021 season, with a rare perfect ranking from 247Sports — just like Manning and former Texas standout Vince Young.
—Dallas News, 19 Aug. 2022
The temps at local-favorite climbing spots like Moe's Valley and Black Rocks are chef's-kiss perfect now, and crowds are nonexistent.
—Kathryn Romeyn, Men's Health, 30 Nov. 2022
But Monday is a perfect for the Blazers to start changing that perception.
—oregonlive, 24 Oct. 2022
In other words, don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good—every bit of progress helps.
—Jeff Wilser, Time, 13 Oct. 2022
The building has a large, exposed wall that is a perfect for a mural, Barbara Cash said.
—Tess Williams, Anchorage Daily News, 14 Aug. 2022
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Adjective
And so the depth of field is very shallow, but the clarity is perfect.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Nov. 2023
Whereas previous iterations might have been several millimeters too large for many wrists, this new reference is perfect for both men and women.
—Oren Hartov, Robb Report, 20 Nov. 2023
This 5-quart sauté pan is perfect for one-pot recipes, and the stylish exterior gives a pop of color to any kitchen aesthetic.
—Michelle Love, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Nov. 2023
The Minimalist's stick formulation is perfect for natural-looking coverage during chill, minimalist makeup days or touchups on the go.
—Sarah Hoffmann, Allure, 20 Nov. 2023
Fill in, perfect, and even exaggerate the top line before applying the bottom portion.
—Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 20 Nov. 2023
This vibrant city strikes a perfect balance between urban hustle and beach town relaxation.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 19 Nov. 2023
At least the van’s bumper has been rendered triumphantly trapezoidal, a true beacon unto the more privileged children driving to school in shiny, perfect sports cars.
—Heather Havrilesky, New York Times, 18 Nov. 2023
An exceptional choice for those seeking a seamless blend of performance and portability, this MacBook Pro features a sleek design, and a stunning Retina display, and is perfect for travel or cozy evenings by the fire.
—Stack Commerce, Popular Science, 9 Nov. 2023
Verb
Just ask Temple, who spent months perfecting her Minnesota accent.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 20 Nov. 2023
From mustard sauce to perfect glazes for spiral-cut baked ham, these recipes are the best ways to dress up one of our favorite meats for holidays, special occasions, and even the average weekday.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 16 Nov. 2023
His input over the past months has helped the Samson R&D team perfect the Switchblade prototype.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 13 Nov. 2023
Ever wanted to perfect your accent and pronunciation?
—Stack Commerce, Popular Science, 8 Nov. 2023
This Story The GOP’s Brand Is Chaos The Republicans have spent years perfecting their dysfunction.
—Jason Linkins, The New Republic, 4 Nov. 2023
Avoiding taxes is an art that companies have perfected over the last few decades.
—Alana Semuels, TIME, 23 Oct. 2023
The handshake was smooth, showing that these two have been working to perfect it.
—Scott Thompson, Fox News, 22 Oct. 2023
Lantry perfected his skill at internships with Manoa Chocolate Hawaii in Kailua, Hawaii, and with Chef Luis Amado at his chocolate academy in New York.
—Roxana Becerril, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Oct. 2023
Noun
Echeverias, a broad, low succulent, and burro’s tail, a trailing succulent perfect for hanging planters, are both nontoxic options that thrive in high light.
—Sofia Andrade, Washington Post, 20 July 2023
Maybe not like, Ioan Gruffudd-looking perfect, but good enough, certainly.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes, 6 May 2023
Progressives tore themselves apart in a constant struggle that repeatedly pitted the perfect against the merely good.
—Gerard Baker, WSJ, 9 Jan. 2023
Ewers was the nation’s top high school prospect heading into the 2021 season, with a rare perfect ranking from 247Sports — just like Manning and former Texas standout Vince Young.
—Dallas News, 19 Aug. 2022
The temps at local-favorite climbing spots like Moe's Valley and Black Rocks are chef's-kiss perfect now, and crowds are nonexistent.
—Kathryn Romeyn, Men's Health, 30 Nov. 2022
But Monday is a perfect for the Blazers to start changing that perception.
—oregonlive, 24 Oct. 2022
In other words, don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good—every bit of progress helps.
—Jeff Wilser, Time, 13 Oct. 2022
The building has a large, exposed wall that is a perfect for a mural, Barbara Cash said.
—Tess Williams, Anchorage Daily News, 14 Aug. 2022
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'perfect.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English parfit, from Anglo-French, from Latin perfectus, from past participle of perficere to carry out, perfect, from per- thoroughly + facere to make, do — more at do
First Known Use
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun
1580, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of perfect was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing perfect
Dictionary Entries Near perfect
Cite this Entry
“Perfect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perfect. Accessed 1 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
perfect
1 of 3 adjective
per·fect
ˈpər-fikt 
1
a
: being entirely without fault or defect : flawless
c
: pure sense 3, total
perfect stillness
2
: of an extreme kind
a perfect fool
3
: of, relating to, or being a verb form in the perfect tense
4
: having both stamens and pistil
a perfect flower
perfect
2 of 3 verb
per·fect
pər-ˈfekt
also ˈpər-fikt
1
: to make perfect
2
: to bring to final form
perfecter
noun
perfect
3 of 3 noun
per·fect
ˈpər-fikt
1
2
: a verb form in the perfect tense
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English perfit "complete, thoroughly or accurately done," from early French parfit (same meaning), from Latin perfectus "complete, perfect," derived from perficere "to carry out, complete," from per- "completely" and -ficere, from facere "to make, do" — related to artificial, fashion, satisfy
Legal Definition
perfect
2 of 2 transitive verb
per·fect
pər-ˈfekt
: 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
Commercial Bank v. Pride Furniture, Inc., 877 P.2d 1222 (1994)
: to make something (as a security interest) complete, in conformity with the law, or valid against third-party claims
More from Merriam-Webster on perfect
Nglish: Translation of perfect for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of perfect for Arabic Speakers
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