perfectible

[per-fek-tuh-buhl]

adjective

1. capable of becoming or of being made perfect; improvable.

perfectible

/ pəˈfɛktəbəl /

adjective

1. capable of becoming or being made perfect

Other Word Forms

• perfectibilist noun
• perfectibility noun
• nonperfectibility noun
• nonperfectible adjective
• self-perfectibility noun
• unperfectible adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of perfectible¹

1625–35; < French < Medieval Latin perfectibilis. See perfect, -ible

Example Sentences

The measure may have flaws, she adds, but “every law is perfectible.”

From Science Magazine

“I am deeply convinced that democracy will prevail,” she said, adding that “democracy may not be perfect but it is perfectible.”

From New York Times

There is a belief among many of these folks that human nature is, if not maybe perfectible, that there's a kind of openness, what bell hooks talks about as revolutionary love.

From Salon

“I’m still convinced that while America is not perfect, it is still perfectible.”

From Seattle Times

Film has a stability that a play lacks — it’s idealized, perfectible, a best-case scenario.

From New York Times