What does "perfect" mean?
The perfect tense, or a form in that tense.
Perfect
/ˈpɜː.fɪkt/ adj, noun, verb
adj, noun, verb ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The perfect tense, or a form in that tense.
- Grammar: perfect is listed as adj, noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: complete, absolute, accomplish, accomplished.
- Useful contrasts: damaged, fallible, faultful.
- Usage evidence: To be perfect she lacked just one defect.
How to use "perfect"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "perfect" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "perfect" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "perfect" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "perfect" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "perfect" is acting as adj, noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "complete" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "perfect", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The perfect tense, or a form in that tense.
- 2 a tense of verbs used in describing action that has been completed (sometimes regarded as perfective aspect) wordnet
- 3 A perfect score; the achievement of finishing a stage or task with no mistakes.
"Awarded for scoring all Perfects in the Dominator rank!"
- 4 A leader of the Cathar movement. historical
Verb
- 1 To make perfect; to improve or hone. transitive
"I am going to perfect this article."
- 2 make perfect or complete wordnet
- 3 To take an action, usually the filing of a document in the correct venue, that secures a legal right.
"perfect an appeal"
Adjective
- 1 Fitting its definition precisely. not-comparable, usually
"a perfect circle"
- 2 Having all of its parts in harmony with a common purpose. not-comparable, usually
"That bucket with the hole in the bottom is a poor bucket, but it is perfect for watering plants."
- 3 Without fault or mistake; without flaw, of supreme quality. not-comparable, usually
"The gymnast performed a perfect somersault."
- 4 Without fault or mistake; without flaw, of supreme quality.; Exact, correctly reflecting the original in all aspects. not-comparable, usually
"The expert forger made a perfect copy of the victim's driver's license"
- 5 Without fault or mistake; without flaw, of supreme quality.; Having thoroughly learned or memorized a part. not-comparable, usually
Show 14 more definitions
- 6 Without fault or mistake; without flaw, of supreme quality.; Having thoroughly learned or memorized a lesson; of a lesson: having been thoroughly learned or memorized. not-comparable, usually
"Practice makes perfect."
- 7 Without fault or mistake; without flaw, of supreme quality.; Fully trained or very knowledgeable; highly skilled not-comparable, obsolete, usually
"Our Battaile is more full of Names then yours, / Our Men more perfect in the vse of Armes, / Our Armor all as strong, our Cause the best"
- 8 Excellent and delightful in all respects. not-comparable, usually
"a perfect day"
- 9 Morally or spiritually immaculate or ideal. not-comparable, usually
"Marke the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace"
- 10 Representing a completed action. not-comparable, usually
- 11 Sexually mature and fully differentiated. not-comparable, usually
- 12 Having both male parts (stamens) and female parts (carpels). not-comparable, usually
- 13 Equal to the sum of its proper divisors. not-comparable, usually
"6 is perfect because the sum of its proper divisors, 1, 2, and 3, which is 6, is equal to the number itself."
- 14 Equal to its set of limit points, i.e. set A is perfect if A=A'. not-comparable, usually
- 15 Describing an interval or any compound interval of a unison, octave, or fourths and fifths that are not tritones. not-comparable, usually
"perfect fifth"
- 16 Made with equal parts of sweet and dry vermouth. not-comparable, usually
"a perfect Manhattan"
- 17 Well informed; certain; sure. not-comparable, obsolete, usually
"I am perfect that the Pannonians and Dalmatians for their liberties are now in arms."
- 18 Innocent, guiltless; without blemish. not-comparable, obsolete, usually
"My fault being nothing—as I have told you oft— / But that two villains, whose false oaths prevail'd / Before my perfect honour, swore to Cymbeline / I was confederate with the Romans: so / Follow'd my banishment"
- 19 Sane, of sound mind. not-comparable, obsolete, usually
"Pray, do not mock me. / I am a very foolish fond old man, / Fourscore and upward, not an hour more nor less / And, to deal plainly, / I fear I am not in my perfect mind."
Adjective
- 1 precisely accurate or exact wordnet
- 2 without qualification; used informally as (often pejorative) intensifiers wordnet
- 3 being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish wordnet
Example
"To be perfect she lacked just one defect."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "perfect"?
Common synonyms include: complete, absolute, accomplish, accomplished, accurate, aces.
How do you use "perfect" in a sentence?
To be perfect she lacked just one defect.
How do you pronounce "perfect"?
Pronounced /ˈpɜː.fɪkt/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English perfit, from Old French parfit (modern: parfait), from Latin perfectus, perfect passive participle of perficere (“to finish”), from per- (“through, thorough”) + facere (“to do, to make”). The spelling was modified in the 15th century to conform to its Latin etymon. Doublet of parfait, perfecto, and perfectus. Displaced native Old English fulfremed.
Etymology 2
From perfect (adjective).