Perfect: meaning, definitions and examples

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perfect

 

[หˆpษ™หfษชkt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

in general

Having all the required or desirable elements, qualities, or characteristics; as good as it is possible to be.

Synonyms

excellent, faultless, flawless, ideal, impeccable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
perfect

Use when saying something is as good as it possibly can be, often in everyday situations and not excessively formal contexts.

  • The weather today is perfect for a picnic
  • She has a perfect understanding of the subject
flawless

Best for describing something that is without any imperfections, often used in contexts like describing physical appearance, work quality, or performance.

  • The diamond was flawless
  • Her execution of the routine was flawless
ideal

Use when talking about a situation or condition that is perfect for a specific purpose or need, often implying that it's the best possible scenario.

  • This place is ideal for a wedding
  • He is the ideal candidate for the job
excellent

Appropriate for praising someone or something of very high quality, usually in formal or semi-formal contexts.

  • He did an excellent job on the project
  • This hotel offers excellent service
impeccable

Best used when discussing behavior, taste, or performance that is flawless and without any mistake. This word often comes with high praise and admiration.

  • Her manners were impeccable
  • He has impeccable taste in music
faultless

Use when describing something or someone that has no mistakes or flaws, emphasizing the absence of faults. Often used in formal contexts.

  • Her performance was faultless
  • The report is faultless in its detail and accuracy

Examples of usage

  • It's the perfect time to leave.
  • This would be a perfect opportunity to impress your future employer.
  • She had a perfect view of the stage.
Context #2 | Noun

grammar

The perfect tense.

Synonyms

future perfect, past perfect, present perfect.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
perfect

Used to describe something without any flaws or defects, often in a general sense.

  • The weather today is perfect for a picnic
  • That dress fits you perfectly
past perfect

Used in grammar to describe an action that was completed before another took place in the past.

  • I had already eaten by the time he arrived
  • She realized she had forgotten her keys after locking the door
present perfect

Used in grammar to describe an action that occurred at an unspecified time before now.

  • I have visited France three times
  • She has never seen that movie
future perfect

Used in grammar to describe an action that will have been completed at some point in the future.

  • By next year, I will have finished my degree
  • She will have traveled to five continents by the end of her life

Examples of usage

  • She had written.
  • He will have arrived.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'perfectus', meaning 'completely done' or 'finished', giving a sense of completeness.
  • In Old French, it transformed to 'parfait', which retained the essence of being flawless.
  • The prefix 'per-' means 'through' and '-fect' comes from 'facere', meaning 'to do', suggesting something is fully done or made.

Philosophy

  • Philosophers have often debated the idea of perfection, questioning whether it truly exists in reality or is just a concept.
  • In Aristotle's philosophy, perfection is tied to the notion of fulfilling one's potential, rather than merely being free of flaws.
  • The concept of 'perfection' can vary greatly among cultures and individuals, as what is perfect for one may not be for another.

Psychology

  • The pursuit of perfection can lead to stress and anxiety, as the pressure to be flawless may create unrealistic expectations.
  • Research shows that perfectionism can be both adaptive, pushing individuals to achieve, and maladaptive, leading to dissatisfaction with their performance.
  • People often struggle with perfectionism due to a fear of failure, making it important to find a balance between striving for excellence and maintaining well-being.

Literature

  • In literature, the idea of perfect characters or endings is often challenged; many stories emphasize growth through flaws.
  • Shakespeare's works frequently explore the tension between idealized perfection and the messy realities of human nature.
  • Many famous works of art depict a flawed journey to perfection, encouraging readers to appreciate imperfection as part of the human experience.

Pop Culture

  • The concept of 'being perfect' is a common theme in songs, movies, and reality shows, often portraying the struggle to meet high standards.
  • Popular figures, like athletes and artists, sometimes face public scrutiny for perceived flaws despite their successes, underlining society's unrealistic views on perfection.
  • Many social media platforms promote idealized lifestyles that can distort the true meaning of being perfect, leading to unrealistic comparisons.

Translations

Translations of the word "perfect" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น perfeito

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคชเฅ‚เคฐเฅเคฃ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช perfekt

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ sempurna

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะดะพัะบะพะฝะฐะปะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ doskonaล‚y

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅฎŒ็’งใช (ใ‹ใ‚“ใบใใช)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท parfait

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ perfecto

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท mรผkemmel

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์™„๋ฒฝํ•œ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู…ุซุงู„ูŠ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ dokonalรฝ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ dokonalรฝ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅฎŒ็พŽ็š„ (wรกnmฤ›i de)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ popoln

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ fullkominn

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะผั–ะฝัั–ะท

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒกแƒ แƒฃแƒšแƒงแƒแƒคแƒ˜แƒšแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ mรผkษ™mmษ™l

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ perfecto

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #1,406, this word is part of core intermediate vocabulary. It appears regularly in various contexts and is essential for natural-sounding English.