perfectionist
Americannoun
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a person who adheres to or believes in perfectionism.
-
a person who demands perfection of himself, herself, or others.
adjective
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
Other Word Forms
- perfectionistic adjective
Etymology
Origin of perfectionist
First recorded in 1650–60; perfection + -ist
Explanation
A perfectionist is someone with very high standards: they want everything to be just right at all times. You know how perfect things are flawless? A perfectionist wants things to be like that all the time. A writer who is a perfectionist will revise over and over again, trying to get every word just right. A perfectionist boss will be hard on employees who aren't as careful or hard-working. Perfectionists tend to do very good work because of their high standards.
Vocabulary lists containing perfectionist
Barbara Bush (1925 - 2018) Tribute List
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One Crazy Summer
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
People who know Magyar personally say he is a perfectionist with a short temper but who will apologise for his shortcomings.
From Barron's • Apr. 12, 2026
For 26-year-old Dayna, who describes herself as a "former perfectionist", it's a trait she is relieved to have left behind.
From BBC • Nov. 19, 2025
He described Isak as a perfectionist in both business and personal matters.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 26, 2025
But she developed a reputation for being a demanding perfectionist and mean, contradicting that pleasant imagery associated with her brand.
From Salon • Aug. 27, 2025
Shy about her talent, and a perfectionist about conditions, Janine never did.
From "Tuesdays with Morrie" by Mitch Albom
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
