perfect

adjective per·fect \ ˈpər-fikt \

|Updated on: 17 Aug 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: perfect in a Sentence

Definition of perfect

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 a : pure, total

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

6 obsolete

a : certain, sure

b : contented, satisfied

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

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perfectness

play \ˈpər-fik(t)-nəs\ noun

See perfect defined for English-language learners

See perfect defined for kids

Examples of perfect in a Sentence

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.”

Recent Examples of perfect from the Web

The public is primed to expect autonomous vehicles to be perfect.

— aarian marshall, WIRED, "Home From the Honeymoon, the Self-Driving Car Industry Faces Reality," 13 July 2018
Very peaceful atmosphere here at St James’s Palace and the weather is perfect!

— lisa ryan, The Cut, "Princess Charlotte and Prince George Steal the Show at Their Brother’s Christening," 9 July 2018
Her features were perfect, her breath fresh from chewing the wild mint that grew on the farm.

— courant.com, "Sharon E. Torrant," 8 July 2018
Even though this was an afternoon launch and the weather was perfect, things could be very different for other launches.

— michael stillwell, Popular Mechanics, "How To Photograph a Rocket Launch," 6 July 2018
Some people’s less-than-perfect work is still outstanding, and all three Sketch pieces showcased inventive artists with focused vision and the skill to build cohesive structure around the chaos of experimentation.

— claudia bauer, SFChronicle.com, "SF choreographer Amy Seiwert’s risky Sketch lab pays off," 29 June 2018
Richard Alles, a longtime tree advocate who has pressed the city to strengthen its tree-preservation rules, said the ordinances aren’t perfect.

— john tedesco, San Antonio Express-News, "City says developer who clear cut trees was following rules," 29 June 2018
Actress Emma Watson certainly got the style memo, arriving to the game in an all-white outfit that was perfect for the summery event.

— christian allaire, Vogue, "Emma Watson Might Be the Best-Dressed Celebrity at Wimbledon," 14 July 2018
These nails are definitely perfect for summer, so make sure to match your mani to your feet with a pair of jelly sandals, and then hit the beach.

— de elizabeth, Teen Vogue, "Jelly Nails Take Over Instagram," 14 July 2018

These 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.

Origin and Etymology of perfect

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

perfect Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of perfect

perfect, whole, entire, intact mean not lacking or faulty in any particular. perfect implies the soundness and the excellence of every part, element, or quality of a thing frequently as an unattainable or theoretical state.

- a perfect set of teeth

whole suggests a completeness or perfection that can be sought, gained, or regained.

- felt like a whole person again after vacation

entire implies perfection deriving from integrity, soundness, or completeness of a thing.

- the entire Beethoven corpus

intact implies retention of perfection of a thing in its natural or original state.

- the boat survived the storm intact

perfect

verb per·fect \ pər-ˈfekt also ˈpər-fikt \

Definition of perfect

transitive verb

1 : to bring to final form

2 : to make perfect : improve, refine

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perfecter

noun

See perfect defined for English-language learners

Examples of perfect in a Sentence

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 of perfect from the Web

Gaelle Morand and her team at Industrial Light & Magic spent hours perfecting the hair on all of Warcraft’s characters.

— wonbo woo, WIRED, "The Entire History of World of Warcraft in One (Long) Video," 29 June 2018
Eric Main, a high-ranking battlemaster in the art of lightsaber combat, had already spent the previous 10 years perfecting all seven forms of combat in the sport.

— lisa deaderick, sandiegouniontribune.com, "A master at wielding the lightsaber and teaching others the sport," 23 June 2018
Working after hours at the Louvre, the team spent weeks perfecting the video’s moves.

— sophie cannon, BostonGlobe.com, "Choreographer reveals what it was like to work with Beyonce, Jay-Z," 19 June 2018
Especially when your sparring partner is chef Michael Solomonov, who somehow managed to become a pretty good boxer between all those evenings spent perfecting hummus at Zahav.

— bethany ao, Philly.com, "I boxed one of Philly's most famous chefs and it relieved more stress than yoga," 14 May 2018
Morris spent hours perfecting his sound: growling, sinewy riffs with a subterranean low end.

— john kelly, Washington Post, "Remembering the doom metal mastery of Alfred Morris III," 17 Jan. 2018
The new area will also be open to previous students who have completed the course, providing them with the opportunity to practice and perfect their skills before hitting the road.

— adriana ramirez, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Oconomowoc Harley-Davidson continues construction on in-house training course," 13 July 2018
The Chicago native started to assemble his dream team of about 30 designers, consultants and collaborators, featuring a range of expertise, to assist in perfecting Pastelle.

— michael saponara, Billboard, "Kanye West's Scrapped Pastelle Line Was 'His University for Fashion'," 10 July 2018
Amy Palms has been perfecting her skills as a glass bender for more than 20 years.

— jessica christian, SFChronicle.com, "Glass bender melds art, science to create and restore neon signs," 9 July 2018

First Known Use of perfect

14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

perfect Synonyms

Synonyms

ameliorate, amend, better, enhance, enrich, help, improve, meliorate, refine, upgrade;

Antonyms

worsen;

Near Antonyms

damage, harm, hurt, impair, injure, spoil, tarnish, vitiate;

blemish, blight, deface, disfigure, flaw, mar;

diminish, lessen, lower, reduce;

edit, fine-tune, redraft, refurbish, rehab, rehabilitate, revamp, revise, rework;

beef (up), boost, fortify, intensify, reinforce (also reenforce), strengthen;

fine, hone, polish;

retouch, touch up;

perfect

noun per·fect \ ˈpər-fikt \

Definition of perfect

: the perfect tense of a language; also : a verb form in the perfect tense

See perfect defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of perfect from the Web

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 2018

First Known Use of perfect

1580

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

PERFECT Defined for English Language Learners

perfect

adjective

Definition of perfect for English Language Learners

: having no mistakes or flaws
: completely correct or accurate
: having all the qualities you want in that kind of person, situation, etc.

perfect

verb

Definition of perfect for English Language Learners

: to make (something good) perfect or better

PERFECT Defined for Kids

perfect

adjective per·fect \ ˈpər-fikt \

Definition of perfect for Students

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 : ¹total 3

perfect silence

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perfectly

adverb

perfect

verb per·fect \ pər-ˈfekt \

Definition of perfect for Students

perfected; perfecting

: to improve (something) so that it has no flaws

Law Dictionary

perfect

adjective per·fect \ ˈpər-fikt \

legal Definition of perfect

: 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 per·fect \ pər-ˈfekt \

legal Definition of perfect

: 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 3

intransitive verb

: to make something (as a security interest) complete, in conformity with the law, or valid against third-party claims

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