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

Example Sentences

“If you didn’t have a type A personality and if you weren’t a bit of a perfectionist, you weren’t going to be a partner at Cravath,” Widen said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

"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

"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

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

Aunt Pooh once pointed that out right before teasing me about being such a perfectionist.

From "On the Come Up" by Angie Thomas