perfectionist

[per-fek-shuh-nist]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR perfectionist ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a person who adheres to or believes in perfectionism.

a person who demands perfection of himself, herself, or others.

adjective

of, relating to, or distinguished by perfection or perfectionism.

Nearby words

Origin of perfectionist

First recorded in 1650–60; perfection + -ist

Related formsper·fec·tion·is·tic, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for perfectionist

This perfectionist, however, has become unhinged—just how Coupe likes it.
Eliza Coupe Finds Her ‘Happy Ending’ With ‘Benched’|Kevin Fallon|October 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They repeat tasks over and over with a ritualistic and often perfectionist bent.
Why Tourette’s May Be Tim Howard’s Secret Weapon on the Field|Michael Daly|July 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
"Bernice Reig was always too much of a perfectionist to allow a franchised store out of her control," Mr. Hoch told us.
The Real Cheeseburger Paradise|Jane & Michael Stern|June 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Off the track, she had been a perfectionist pre-med student with a perfect GPA.
Are Female Long-Distance Runners More Prone To Suicidal Depression?|Emily de la Bruyere|February 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST

She's a perfectionist and if she does give TV a go she'd give Oprah a run for her money!
Miley Cyrus Wears Black Pasties; Naomi Campbell May Score Her Own Talk Show|The Fashion Beast Team|September 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST
"Yes, my friends do," admitted the perfectionist, with an accent that was supposed to be crushing.
The Madigans|Miriam Michelson
That doesn't mean he is a perfectionist in many things, that he etches as well as he paints, that he composes as well as he draws.
Ivory Apes and Peacocks|James Huneker
I was asked by my host, whether I did read or not, what appeared shortly before that in Noyse's "Perfectionist" against me.
Secret Enemies of True Republicanism|Andrew B. Smolnikar
His rages, then, are the spasms of pain of a perfectionist wounded by imperfection.
The World's Great Men of Music|Harriette Brower
Stevenson is a perfectionist, and that way lies madness for all save a few valiant spirits.
Unicorns|James Huneker

British Dictionary definitions for perfectionist

perfectionist

noun

a person who strives for or demands the highest standards of excellence in work, etc

a person who believes the doctrine of perfectionism

adjective

of or relating to perfectionism

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

Word Origin and History for perfectionist

perfectionist

1650s, from perfection + -ist. Originally theological, "one who believes moral perfection may be attained in earthly existence;" sense of "one satisfied only with the highest standards" is from 1934. Related: Perfectionism.

perfectionist

noun

adjective

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of perfectionist

Examples from the Web for perfectionist

perfectionist

noun

adjective

perfectionist