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perfect
[ adjective, noun pur-fikt; verb per-fekt ]
/ adjective, noun ˈpɜr fɪkt; verb pərˈfɛkt /
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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)
OTHER WORDS FOR perfect
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
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Origin of perfect
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 , prefectWords nearby perfect
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
- the perfect tense
- a verb in this tense
verb (pəˈfɛkt) (tr)
Derived forms of perfect
perfectness, nounWord 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
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