imperfective

[ im-per-fek-tiv ]

/ ˌɪm pərˈfɛk tɪv /

Grammar

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adjective

noting an aspect of the verb, as in Russian, that indicates incompleteness of the action or state at a temporal point of reference.

noun

the imperfective aspect.

a verb in this aspect.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of imperfective

First recorded in 1670–80; imperfect + -ive

Words nearby imperfective

imperfect competition, imperfect flower, imperfect fungus, imperfectible, imperfection, imperfective, imperfect stage, imperforate, Imperia, imperial, Imperial Beach

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

British Dictionary definitions for imperfective

imperfective

/ (ˌɪmpəˈfɛktɪv) grammar /

adjective

denoting an aspect of the verb in some languages, including English, used to indicate that the action is in progress without regard to its completionCompare perfective

noun

the imperfective aspect of a verb
a verb in this aspect

Derived forms of imperfective

imperfectively, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012