perfectly
Americanadverb
-
in a perfect manner or to a perfect degree.
to sing an aria perfectly.
- Synonyms:
- ideally, superbly, flawlessly
-
completely; fully; adequately.
This will suit my purpose perfectly.
He’s perfectly happy to help out.
She’s perfectly capable of making her own decision.
adverb
-
completely, utterly, or absolutely
-
in a perfect way; extremely well
Etymology
Origin of perfectly
First recorded in 1275–1325; perfect + -ly; replacing Middle English parfitly, derivative of parfit ( perfect )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The cameras were attached to trip wires so that when the horse passed each one, it would take a perfectly timed photograph.
From Slate • May 25, 2026
Toss in a banana, add some berries, blend, and you have what looks like a perfectly healthy drink.
From Science Daily • May 24, 2026
After all, even regarding the dumbest birds in his database, he says, “all these species are still here, leading perfectly successful lives,” and have been for millions of years.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026
Her words bear a wonderful complexity thanks to Palmer, who’s perfectly cast in her lead role.
From Salon • May 22, 2026
For this moment, at least, Bat felt perfectly content.
From "A Boy Called Bat" by Elana K. Arnold
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
