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.

perfectionist British  

/ pəˈfɛkʃənɪst /

noun

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

2. a person who believes the doctrine of perfectionism

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adjective

1. of or relating to perfectionism

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.

Example Sentences

"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 • Feb. 14, 2026

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 • Jan. 29, 2026

"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 • Dec. 31, 2025

He was a fretful perfectionist who would endlessly rehearse; Anne was naturally funny; she flowed.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 24, 2025

He used to say that being a perfectionist was one of life’s most important secrets.

From "A Place to Belong" by Cynthia Kadohata