perfection

American  

[per-fek-shuhn] / pərˈfɛk ʃən /

noun

1. the state or quality of being or becoming perfect.

2. the highest degree of proficiency, skill, or excellence, as in some art.

3. a perfect embodiment or example of something.

4. a quality, trait, or feature of the highest degree of excellence.

5. the highest or most nearly perfect degree of a quality or trait.

6. the act or fact of perfecting.

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perfection British  

/ pəˈfɛkʃən /

noun

1. the act of perfecting or the state or quality of being perfect

2. the highest degree of a quality, etc

   the perfection of faithfulness

3. an embodiment of perfection

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Other Word Forms

• hyperperfection noun
• nonperfection noun
• superperfection noun

Etymology

Origin of perfection

First recorded in 1175–1225; from Latin perfectiōn-, stem of perfectiō “completion, finishing”; equivalent to perfect + -ion; replacing Middle English perfeccioun, perfectiun, from Anglo-French, from Latin, as above

Example Sentences

Our critic said the director’s “funniest and finest movie in many years is perfection all the way through.”

From The Wall Street Journal

“They expect both to be seamless and executed to perfection.”

From Salon

They are drawn to authenticity and individuality, not perfection.

From The Wall Street Journal

The rainbow carrots were roasted to perfection with a slightly charred exterior and a visible spice mix of paprika, cayenne, and other spices.

From Salon

The first Roman Torlonia acquired important antique sculptures assembled by earlier collectors, with everything restored to perfection—no missing noses or limbless torsos.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• accomplishment
• evolution
• excellence
• fulfillment
• ideal
• integrity
• precision
• purity
• quality
• superiority
• supremacy
• transcendence
• virtue