perfection

American  

[per-fek-shuhn] / pərˈfɛk ʃən /

noun

1. the state or quality of being or becoming perfect.

2. the highest degree of proficiency, skill, or excellence, as in some art.

3. a perfect embodiment or example of something.

4. a quality, trait, or feature of the highest degree of excellence.

5. the highest or most nearly perfect degree of a quality or trait.

6. the act or fact of perfecting.

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perfection British  

/ pəˈfɛkʃən /

noun

1. the act of perfecting or the state or quality of being perfect

2. the highest degree of a quality, etc

   the perfection of faithfulness

3. an embodiment of perfection

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Other Word Forms

• hyperperfection noun
• nonperfection noun
• superperfection noun

Etymology

Origin of perfection

First recorded in 1175–1225; from Latin perfectiōn-, stem of perfectiō “completion, finishing”; equivalent to perfect + -ion; replacing Middle English perfeccioun, perfectiun, from Anglo-French, from Latin, as above

Example Sentences

As Rogers knows better than most, Emery's relentless quest for perfection is the driving force behind Villa's bid for an incredible title triumph.

From Barron's

And, at least for me, dialing a copycat recipe toward perfection is mildly addictive.

From Salon

Christmas often inspires visions of perfection: the geometrically precise tree, the artfully arranged mantel, the candlelit feast a flawless tableau.

From The Wall Street Journal

Fun fact: In concert, she reproduces the lilting whistled interlude to perfection.

From Los Angeles Times

The Feast of the Seven Fishes isn’t about perfection.

From Salon

Related Words

• accomplishment
• evolution
• excellence
• fulfillment
• ideal
• integrity
• precision
• purity
• quality
• superiority
• supremacy
• transcendence
• virtue