perfection

[per-fek-shuhn]

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.

perfection

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• hyperperfection noun
• nonperfection noun
• superperfection noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of perfection¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of perfection¹

C13: from Latin perfectiō a completing, from perficere to finish

Example Sentences

And unlike with her insults, Bondi rarely has to check her notes before slobbering over the imaginary perfection of men who can boost her career.

Read more on Salon

Putting the blame solely at their door would be unfair to Hull KR, who executed their tactics to perfection and looked sensational in possession, attack and, for the most part, defence.

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The game was delicately poised with England 179-6 after 40 overs, but the captain timed her acceleration to perfection with 49 runs coming from the last five.

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We’re no longer interested in projecting perfection — we know it doesn’t exist.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Premier League referee Anthony Taylor has criticised the "expectation of perfection" culture that officials are subject to, and says his family no longer go to his matches because of the abuse he receives.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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