perform

verb

per·​form pər-ˈfȯrm 

pə-

performed; performing; performs

transitive verb

1

: to adhere to the terms of : fulfill

perform a contract

2

: carry out, do

3

a

: to do in a formal manner or according to prescribed ritual

b

: to give a rendition of : present

intransitive verb

1

: to carry out an action or pattern of behavior : act, function

2

: to give a performance : play

performability

pər-ˌfȯr-mə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

pə-

noun

performable

pər-ˈfȯr-mə-bəl 

pə-

adjective

performer

pər-ˈfȯr-mər 

pə-

noun

Synonyms

• execute
• accomplish
• fulfil
• fulfill
• achieve
• do
• implement
• make

Choose the Right Synonym for perform

perform, execute, discharge, accomplish, achieve, effect, fulfill mean to carry out or into effect.

perform implies action that follows established patterns or procedures or fulfills agreed-upon requirements and often connotes special skill.

performed gymnastics

execute stresses the carrying out of what exists in plan or in intent.

executed the hit-and-run

discharge implies execution and completion of appointed duties or tasks.

discharged his duties

accomplish stresses the successful completion of a process rather than the means of carrying it out.

accomplished everything they set out to do

achieve adds to accomplish the implication of conquered difficulties.

achieve greatness

effect adds to achieve an emphasis on the inherent force in the agent capable of surmounting obstacles.

effected sweeping reforms

fulfill implies a complete realization of ends or possibilities.

fulfilled their ambitions

Examples of perform in a Sentence

The doctor had to perform surgery immediately.

The magician performed some amazing tricks.

The gymnasts performed their routines perfectly.

You are required to perform 50 hours of community service.

The band will be performing on the main stage.

She's a wonderful singer who loves to perform before a live audience.

The band will perform songs from their new album.

The class performed the play for the school.

Recent Examples on the Web

Most American metropolises perform well in the report’s measure of disposable income, particularly San Francisco (No. 3), Boston (No. 7), and Chicago (No. 8). —Greg McKenna, Fortune, 27 June 2025

The English singer is also set to perform at the festival Saturday evening. —Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 27 June 2025

Capaldi has been slowly testing the waters of a comeback, performing a run of warm-up shows in Scotland as a guest of Tom Walker’s charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM). —Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 27 June 2025

Modern executives must similarly create robust succession planning, knowledge transfer systems, and institutional memory, not just to perform well during their tenure, but to set up the next generation for success. —Esade Business & Law School, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English parformen, parfournen, perfourmen, performen "to complete, perfect, accomplish, carry out (a duty, plan), construct," borrowed from Anglo-French parfourner, parfurnir, performer, parfourmir "to carry out, execute, complete" (continental Old French parfornir), from par-, per- per- + fornir, furnir "to supply, provide, furnish"; forms with -m- probably by association with former, formir "to form entry 2"

Note: Note that the Germanic etymon *frumjan, the source of Old French fornir, had an -m- which is reflected in Old Occitan and medieval Catalan formir, medieval Pisan frumiare "to make ready, deliver," though neither early French nor the dialectal evidence assembled by Französisches etymologisches Wörterbuch shows any trace of the -m-—hence it is unlikely to have played a role in the history of performer. The variants with -n-, common in Middle English, did not survive into Modern English.

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing perform

• perform miracles

Rhymes for perform

• brainstorm
• conform
• deform
• firestorm
• hailstorm
• inform
• landform
• lukewarm
• planform
• platform
• preform
• rainstorm

Kids Definition

perform

verb

per·​form pə(r)-ˈfȯ(ə)rm 

1

a

: carry out, do

b

: act entry 2 sense 4, function

2

: to do something requiring special skill

3

a

: to do according to rules or in an established way

perform a wedding

b

: to give a performance of

perform a play

performable

-ˈfȯr-mə-bəl 

adjective

performer

-ˈfȯr-mər 

noun

Legal Definition

perform

transitive verb

per·​form

1

: to adhere to and fulfill the terms of

perform an obligation

2

: to carry out or bring about

perform the work according to design

3

: to do according to prescribed ritual or law

perform a marriage ceremony

4

: to give a public rendition or presentation of

perform a copyrighted play

intransitive verb

1

: to adhere to and fulfill the terms of a contract, promise, or obligation

failed to perform under the agreement

2

: to carry out or present something