perform

[per-fawrm]

verb (used with object)

1. to carry out; execute; do.

   to perform miracles.

2. to go through or execute in the proper, customary, or established manner.

   to perform the marriage ceremony.

3. to carry into effect; fulfill.

   Perform what you promise.

   Synonyms: effect, achieve, accomplish

4. to enact (a play, part, etc.), as on the stage, in movies, or on television.

5. to render (music), as by playing or singing.

6. to accomplish (any action involving skill or ability), as before an audience.

   to perform a juggling act.

7. to complete.

8. to exhibit behaviors associated with (a particular social role or identity).

   This study investigates the ways in which biracial Americans perform race in their day-to-day lives.

9. to behave in ways that exhibit (a socially acceptable belief, trait, or quality), often merely for show.

   Nineteenth-century British women found in the antislavery movement a perfect way to perform empathy.

verb (used without object)

1. to fulfill a command, promise, or undertaking.

2. to execute or do something.

3. to act in a play.

   to perform in the role of Romeo.

4. to perform music.

5. to go through any performance.

6. (of loans, investments, etc.) to yield a profit; earn income.

7. to have sexual intercourse.

   I could not perform in my first intimate encounter with the love of my life.

perform

/ pəˈfɔːm /

verb

1. to carry out or do (an action)

2. (tr) to fulfil or comply with

   to perform someone's request

3. to present or enact (a play, concert, etc) before or otherwise entertain an audience

   the group performed Hamlet

4. informal,  (intr) to accomplish sexual intercourse

   he performed well

Other Word Forms

• performable adjective
• performer noun
• misperform verb
• overperform verb
• reperform verb (used with object)
• self-performed adjective
• unperformable adjective
• unperformed adjective
• unperforming adjective
• well-performed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of perform¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English parformen, from Anglo-French parformer, alteration (by association with forme form ) of Middle French, Old French parfournir “to accomplish”; per-, furnish

Word History and Origins

Origin of perform¹

C14: from Anglo-Norman perfourmer (influenced by forme _form ), from Old French parfournir, from par- _per- + fournir to provide; see _furnish

Synonym Study

Perform, discharge, execute, transact mean to carry to completion a prescribed course of action. Perform is the general word, often applied to ordinary activity as a more formal expression than do, but usually implying regular, methodical, or prolonged application or work: to perform an exacting task. Discharge implies carrying out an obligation, often a formal or legal one: to discharge one's duties as a citizen. Execute means either to carry out an order or to carry through a plan or program: to execute a maneuver. Transact, meaning to conduct or manage, has commercial connotations: to transact business.

Example Sentences

What magic did Koerner perform to approach the finish line in short order, and are there lessons for others?

From Los Angeles Times

Lewis said it was “cool” that Mustard performed at halftime, but he and his teammates were too busy with football to listen.

From Los Angeles Times

In the square, cheering onlookers voted for their favourite male after they were put through a series of trials, which ranged from explaining their choice of book to performing romantic songs.

From BBC

And it urged everyone performing in Riyadh to use the opportunity to speak up on topics such as human rights and free speech.

From BBC

It’s a very athletic kind of music to play and perform on stage.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• achieve 
• act 
• behave 
• complete 
• do 
• execute 
• finish 
• function 
• implement 
• meet 
• observe 
• operate 
• take 
• work