perfectionist

American  

[per-fek-shuh-nist] / pərˈfɛk ʃə nɪst /

noun

1. a person who adheres to or believes in perfectionism.

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

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adjective

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

Other Word Forms

• perfectionistic adjective

Etymology

Origin of perfectionist

First recorded in 1650–60; perfection + -ist

Example Sentences

The Hungarian photographer thought his American peers were overly perfectionist.

From The Wall Street Journal

"I want to win everything, I want to be a perfectionist in everything. I'm a nightmare when we play Monopoly at home," he said.

From Barron's

And she does capture enough candid moments to provide a portrait of perfectionist people—who, like opera stars, have to be great actors while also doing astounding things with their physical gifts.

From The Wall Street Journal

Some might call me a perfectionist, but there’s nothing wrong with trying to do a job right.

From Literature

"I'm a fierce perfectionist and there is an overactive, hugely self-critical voice in my head - my whole life is an exercise in trying to shake that," he says.

From BBC