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perfect

[ adjective, noun pur-fikt; verb per-fekt ]
/ adjective, noun ˈpɜr fɪkt; verb pərˈfɛkt /
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See synonyms for: perfect / perfected / perfecting / perfectness on Thesaurus.com

adjective
noun Grammar.
the perfect tense.
a verb form or construction in the perfect tense.Compare future perfect, pluperfect, present perfect.
verb (used with object)
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Origin of perfect

First recorded in 1250–1300; from Latin perfectus, past participle of perficere “to finish, bring to completion” (per-per- + -fec-, combining form of facere “to make, do” (see do1) + -tus past participle suffix); replacing Middle English parfit, from Old French, from Latin as above

usage note for perfect

A few usage guides still object to the use of comparison words such as more, most, nearly, almost, and rather with perfect on the grounds that perfect describes an absolute, yes-or-no condition that cannot logically be said to exist in varying degrees. The English language has never agreed to this limitation. Since its earliest use in the 13th century, perfect has, like almost all adjectives, been compared, first in the now obsolete forms perfecter and perfectest, and more recently with more, most, and similar comparison words: the most perfect arrangement of color and line imaginable. Perfect is compared in most of its general senses in all varieties of speech and writing. After all, one of the objectives of the writers of the U.S. Constitution was “to form a more perfect union.” See also complete, unique.

OTHER WORDS FROM perfect

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH perfect

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

WHEN TO USE

What are other ways to say perfect?

Something that is perfect conforms to an ideal or is entirely without flaws, defects, or shortcomings. How does perfect compare to synonyms entire, intact, and complete? Find out on Thesaurus.com

How to use perfect in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for perfect

perfect

adjective (ˈpɜːfɪkt)
noun (ˈpɜːfɪkt)
grammar
  1. the perfect tense
  2. a verb in this tense
verb (pəˈfɛkt) (tr)

Derived forms of perfect

perfectness, noun

Word Origin for perfect

C13: from Latin perfectus, from perficere to perform, from per through + facere to do

usage for perfect

For most of its meanings, the adjective perfect describes an absolute state, i.e. one that cannot be qualified; thus something is either perfect or not perfect, and cannot be more perfect or less perfect. However when perfect means excellent in all respects, a comparative can be used with it without absurdity: the next day the weather was even more perfect
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
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