Dictionary.com

imperfective

[ im-per-fek-tiv ]
/ ˌɪm pərˈfɛk tɪv /
Grammar
Save This Word!
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.
QUIZ
GOOSES. GEESES. I WANT THIS QUIZ ON PLURAL NOUNS!
Test how much you really know about regular and irregular plural nouns with this quiz.
Question 1 of 9
Which of the following nouns has an irregular plural form?
cactus
wallet
goat
party
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

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, imperforate anus, imperforation, Imperia
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

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
  1. the imperfective aspect of a verb
  2. 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
FEEDBACK