Word family noun perfection ≠ imperfection perfectionist perfectionism perfectibility adjective perfect ≠ imperfect perfectible perfectionist verb perfect adverb perfectly ≠ imperfectly
From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishperfectper‧fect1 /ˈpɜːfɪkt $ ˈpɜːr-/ ●●● S2 W2 adjective 1 PERFECTnot having any mistakes, faults, or damage OPP imperfect His English was perfect. The car was in perfect condition. You’re very lucky to have perfect teeth. a perfect performance In a perfect world, we wouldn’t need an army.2 PERFECTas good as possible, or the best of its kind The weather was perfect the whole week. a perfect example of Gothic architecture The clothes were a perfect fit. a perfect solution to the problem Ronnie was in perfect health.perfect timing (=used when something happens at exactly the right time) Good, you’re home. Perfect timing – dinner’s on the table.3 GOOD/EXCELLENTexactly what is needed for a particular purpose, situation, or person SYN ideal That’s perfect! Just the way I wanted it to look. Crusty bread is the perfect accompaniment to this soup.perfect for The land is perfect for sheep farming.perfect way/place/time etc to do something She thought she’d found the perfect place to live.perfect day/place/person etc for something a perfect day for a picnic the perfect actor for the part4 → nobody’s perfect5 → have a perfect right to do something6 → perfect stranger/fool/angel etc7 → perfect storm → perfectly, → practice makes perfect at practice(9), → present perfect, past perfectCOLLOCATIONS – Meanings 1,2 & 3adverbsabsolutely perfectHis sight is absolutely perfect.quite perfect written (=absolutely perfect)The old bottle was very dark blue and quite perfect.almost/nearly/near perfectHis collection included an almost perfect skeleton of an armadillo.Her performance was near perfect.less than perfect (=not perfect)So many excellent writers, for example Byron and Keats, were less than perfect spellers. far from perfect (=not at all perfect)The weather conditions were far from perfect.technically perfectThe system was technically perfect. THESAURUSwithout anything wrongperfect used about something that is very good in every way, and could not be betterWe had a wonderful vacation - the weather was perfect.The meal was absolutely perfect.She has perfect teeth.flawless/faultless without any mistakes or faultsHis English was flawless.a faultless performanceimpeccable so good that you cannot find anything wrong with it – used especially about someone’s behaviour, taste, or experienceThe food was excellent and the service impeccable.a man of impeccable manners, charm, and sensibilityher mother's impeccable taste in clothingThe commission was composed of economists with impeccable credentials (=very impressive qualifications and experience, which are impossible to criticize).unspoiled (also unspoilt British English) an unspoiled area has not been changed or had ugly buildings, roads etc built on ita beautiful area of unspoiled countryside most suitableperfect completely suitable for something or someoneIt’s the perfect place to relax after a hard day at work.It was a perfect day for going to the beach.I think she would be perfect for him.ideal very suitable and exactly what you want – often used about someone or something that you imagine, but which does not really existWhat would be your ideal job?She still hasn’t found her ideal man.It is the ideal place for a vacation.just right especially spoken very good or suitable in every wayThe weather was just right for a day at the beach.The dress is just right for you.be just the thing/person informal to be exactly what is needed or wantedCold lemonade is just the thing on a hot day.He’s just the person for the job. Examples from the Corpus
perfect• "How was your holiday?'' "Oh, just perfect!''• The meal was absolutely perfect.• We had a wonderful vacation - the weather was perfect.• Michiko's English is perfect.• Cindy's been a perfect angel all morning.• The aide reported to Daley that he was a perfect choice.• The perfect condition of everything had somewhat disguised the extreme age of the place, but now it was obvious.• The quilt is in nearly perfect condition.• Beth and Martin always seemed to be the perfect couple.• Partnering the experienced Allen up front, in place of the suspended Trevor Morley, Jones supplied a perfect cross just before the interval.• But it's cattle you should think of in this country, perfect dairy pasture, rich it is.• It was a perfect day out.• This church is a perfect example of Gothic architecture.• That's a perfect example of what I was talking about.• This dress will be perfect for the summer.• My mother's in perfect health, even though she's nearly 80.• I peeled off her leather jacket and jeans and I really began to appreciate how perfect her body is.• His heroes are true heroes, but not perfect human beings.• That sounds like the perfect job for you.• They seem to have a perfect marriage.• And many would say Oxford is the perfect place to set it.• Moreover, as we shall see presently, the wheel is not one that revolves with perfect smoothness.• How could you have given that confidential information to a perfect stranger?• perfect weather for a picnic• We had perfect weather the whole trip.• A dry white wine is perfect with any fish dish.perfect timing• The club was set up late last year, with perfect timing.• Though not the most powerful punch ever thrown, Stretch's right hook was delivered with perfect timing.• The ability of a salesperson to turn the objection into a trial close is dependent upon perfect timing and considerable judgment.• Then, with perfect timing, another element entered my life that was soon to prove so important.• Chapman, with perfect timing, anticipated events by arranging to meet Stephenson at Leeds, on his way home from Birmingham.• For Franco, this was perfect timing for his end-of-year speech.• The Beckwith brothers and Tony Clegg exited from property shares with perfect timing just before the current disastrous recession.perfect for• It's a perfect frame for that picture.• I think he'd be perfect for you.perfectper‧fect2 /pəˈfekt $ pər-/ ●○○ verb [transitive] PERFECTto make something as good as you are able to Mock trials help students perfect their legal skills.→ See Verb tableExamples from the Corpus
perfect• It was stated at the outset that this system would not be here, and at once, perfected.• This can be instinctive and it can also be perfected and developed.• The stunt took two years to perfect, and the team used a series of remote cameras to film every breath-taking second.• This technique was perfected by the Ancient Egyptians.• Luke perfected his cooking skills after he got married.• James was out on the ski slope, trying to perfect his short turns.• Over the last couple of decades, managing such funds has become a pretty well perfected science.• Dom Perignon perfected the art of blending wines from many different vineyards.• After eighteen years of marriage to Gemma, Ronald had perfected the art of keeping the peace.• The Chief Executive of the company said that they had spent ten years on perfecting the product.• But the engineers say it will be 10 years before they perfect the technology to make this possible.• In perfecting their skills, they have to give up habits and responses that impede their performance.• The only way to perfect your accent is to go and live in France.• Do not try to perfect your normal eating routine.• The best way to perfect your Spanish is to live in a country where it's spoken.perfectper‧fect3 /ˈpɜːfɪkt $ ˈpɜːr-/ noun → the perfect → past perfectOrigin perfect1 (1200-1300) Old French parfit, from Latin perfectus, past participle of perficere “to do completely, finish” 