perfect

Adjective

perfect (not generally comparable, comparative perfecter or more perfect, superlative perfectest or most perfect)

1. (not comparable, usually) Fitting its definition precisely.
   • a perfect circle

   Synonyms:

   accurate, flawless

2. (not comparable, usually) Having all of its parts in harmony with a common purpose.
   • That bucket with the hole in the bottom is a poor bucket, but it is perfect for watering plants.
3. (not comparable, usually) Without fault or mistake; without flaw, of supreme quality.
   • The gymnast performed a perfect somersault.
   • I think I'm in love—I can't stop thinking about her. She's perfect!
   1. (not comparable, usually) Exact, correctly reflecting the original in all aspects.
      • The expert forger made a perfect copy of the victim's driver's license
   2. (not comparable, usually) Having thoroughly learned or memorized a part.
   3. (not comparable, usually, obsolete outside set of phrases) Having thoroughly learned or memorized a lesson; of a lesson: having been thoroughly learned or memorized.
      • Practice makes perfect.
      • word-perfect, letter-perfect
   4. (not comparable, obsolete, usually) Fully trained or very knowledgeable; highly skilled
      • Our Battaile is more full of Names then yours, / Our Men more perfect in the vse of Armes, / Our Armor all as strong, our Cause the bestc. 1596–1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Second Part of Henry the Fourth, […]. Epilogue.”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […]...
4. (not comparable, usually) Excellent and delightful in all respects.
   • a perfect day
   • And was the day of my delight
     ⁠As pure and perfect as I say?
     ⁠The very source and fount of Day
     Is dash’d with wandering isles of night.1850, [Alfred, Lord Tennyson], “Canto XXIV”, in In Memoriam, London: Edward Moxon, […], →OCLC, page 41
5. (not comparable, usually) Morally or spiritually immaculate or ideal.
   • Marke the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Psalms 37:37
6. (not comparable, usually) Representing a completed action.
7. (not comparable, usually) Sexually mature and fully differentiated.

   Synonyms:

   mature

8. (not comparable, usually) Having both male parts (stamens) and female parts (carpels).

   Synonyms:

   bisexual

9. (not comparable, usually) Equal to the sum of its proper divisors.
   • 6 is perfect because the sum of its proper divisors, 1, 2, and 3, which is 6, is equal to the number itself.
10. (not comparable, usually) Equal to its set of limit points, i.e. set A is perfect if A=A'.
11. (not comparable, usually) Describing an interval or any compound interval of a unison, octave, or fourths and fifths that are not tritones.
    • perfect fifth
12. (not comparable, usually) Made with equal parts of sweet and dry vermouth.
    • a perfect Manhattan
    • a perfect Rob Roy

Noun

perfect (plural perfects)

1. The perfect tense, or a form in that tense.
2. A perfect score; the achievement of finishing a stage or task with no mistakes.
   • Awarded for scoring all Perfects in the Dominator rank!2007, Barbara Smith, Chad Yancey, Video Game Achievements and Unlockables, page 17
   • […] a table of all the ratings that each player has achieved, giving you several scoring options based on player feedback (I simply record the number of perfects).2007, Eli Neiburger, Gamers-- in the Library?!
3. (historical) A leader of the Cathar movement.

   Synonyms:

   perfectus

Verb

UK/pəˈfɛkt/US/pɚˈfɛkt/

perfect (third-person singular simple present perfects, present participle perfecting, simple past and past participle perfected)

1. (transitive) To make perfect; to improve or hone.
   • I am going to perfect this article.
   • You spend too much time trying to perfect your dancing.

   Synonyms:

   enhance, hone, improve, optimize

2. To take an action, usually the filing of a document in the correct venue, that secures a legal right.
   • perfect an appeal
   • perfect an interest