Refine this word faster

Stronger alternatives Opposite tone Use in context Cross-language nuance

Related Topic Clusters

Leadership and Management Language

Vocabulary for strategy updates, one-on-ones, and performance alignment.

Perform

//pəˈfɔːm// verb

Definitions

Verb
  1. 1
    To do (something); to execute. transitive

    "The scientists performed several experiments."

  2. 2
    carry out or perform an action wordnet
  3. 3
    To exhibit an expected pattern of behavior; to function; to work. intransitive

    "The new employee performs well."

  4. 4
    give a performance (of something) wordnet
  5. 5
    To exhibit an expected pattern of behavior; to function; to work.; Of a man, to be able to initiate or fulfill an act of sexual intercourse. intransitive, uncommon
Show 8 more definitions
  1. 6
    perform a function wordnet
  2. 7
    To act in a way set forth in a contract.; To act in accordance with (a contract); to fulfill one’s terms of (a contract). transitive

    "Failure to perform a contract on time may constitute a breach of contract."

  3. 8
    get (something) done wordnet
  4. 9
    To act in a way set forth in a contract.; To fulfill contractually agreed-to terms. intransitive

    "They entered into an agreement and now they are obliged to perform."

  5. 10
    To do (something) in front of an audience, such as acting or music, often in order to entertain. ambitransitive

    "She will perform in the play."

  6. 11
    To behave theatrically so as to give the impression of (a quality, character trait, etc.); to feign. broadly, transitive

    "The accused only performed remorse."

  7. 12
    Of a social actor, to behave in certain ways.; To behave in accordance with, and thereby in turn shape, (a social notion or role). transitive

    "perform masculinity"

  8. 13
    Of a social actor, to behave in certain ways.; To behave in ways that carry meaning in social contexts. intransitive

    "Individuals in societies perform all the time."

Etymology

From Middle English parformen, performen (“to perform”), from Anglo-Norman performer, parfourmer, alteration of Old French parfornir, parfurnir (“to complete, accomplish, perform”), from par- + fornir, furnir (“to accomplish, furnish”), from Frankish *frummjan (“to accomplish, furnish”), from Proto-Germanic *frumjaną, *framjaną (“to further, promote”), from Proto-Indo-European *promo- (“in front, forth”), *per- (“forward, out”). Cognate with Old High German frummen (“to do, execute, accomplish, provide”), Old Saxon frummian (“to perform, promote”), Old English fremman (“to perform, execute, carry out, accomplish”). See also frame, from. Modernly, rather than Proto-Germanic *frumjaną, associated with Latin formō, analyzable as per- + form.

See also for "perform"

Synonyms Antonyms Rhymes Sentences Translate Word Type Pronunciation Word Forms

Next best steps

Find stronger synonymsSee usage examplesCheck pronunciation

Mini challenge

Unscramble this word: perform