Etymology From Middle English perfit, from Old French parfit (modern: parfait), from Latin perfectus, perfect passive participle of perficere (“to finish”), from per- (“through, thorough”) + facere (“to do, to make”). The spelling was modified in the 15th century to conform to its Latin etymon. Doublet of parfait, perfecto, and perfectus. Displaced native Old English fulfremed.
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
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 more example
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.1787, Gouverneur Morris, Preamble to the United States Constitution:
4
Usually, Of a copy Exact, correctly reflecting the original in all aspects.
The expert forger made a perfect copy of the victim's driver's license
5
Usually, Of an actor Having thoroughly learned or memorized a part.
6
Usually, Of a person Having thoroughly learned or memorized a lesson; of a lesson: having been thoroughly learned or memorized.
Obsolete outside set of phrases
Practice makes perfect.
word-perfect, letter-perfect
7
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: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene i], lines 152–154:
8
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:
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They burned the old gun that used to stand in the dark corner up in the garret, close to the stuffed fox that always grinned so fiercely. Perhaps the reason why he seemed in such a ghastly rage was that he did not come by his death fairly. Otherwise his pelt would not have been so perfect. And why else was he put away up there out of sight?—and so magnificent a brush as he had too.1879, R[ichard] J[efferies], chapter 1, in The Amateur Poacher, London: Smith, Elder, & Co., […], →OCLC:
9
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:
10
Grammar, Human sciences, Linguistics, SciencesUsually Representing a completed action.
Of a tense or verb form
11
Biology, Natural sciencesUsually Sexually mature and fully differentiated.
12
Biology, Botany, Natural sciencesUsually, Of flowers Having both male parts (stamens) and female parts (carpels).
13
Mathematics, SciencesUsually, Of a number 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.
Entertainment, Lifestyle, MusicUsually Describing an interval or any compound interval of a unison, octave, or fourths and fifths that are not tritones.
perfect fifth
16
Usually, Of a cocktail Made with equal parts of sweet and dry vermouth.
I am perfect that the Pannonians and Dalmatians for their liberties are now in arms.1611 April (first recorded performance), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Cymbeline”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene i]:
18
Obsolete, Usually Innocent, guiltless; without blemish.
My fault being nothing—as I have told you oft— / But that two villains, whose false oaths prevail'd / Before my perfect honour, swore to Cymbeline / I was confederate with the Romans: so / Follow'd my banishment1611 April (first recorded performance), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Cymbeline”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene iii]:
My parts, my title, and my perfect soul shall manifest me rightly.c. 1603–1604 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Othello, the Moore of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene ii]:
Pray, do not mock me. / I am a very foolish fond old man, / Fourscore and upward, not an hour more nor less / And, to deal plainly, / I fear I am not in my perfect mind.c. 1603–1606, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of King Lear”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene vii]:
Etymology From Middle English perfit, from Old French parfit (modern: parfait), from Latin perfectus, perfect passive participle of perficere (“to finish”), from per- (“through, thorough”) + facere (“to do, to make”). The spelling was modified in the 15th century to conform to its Latin etymon. Doublet of parfait, perfecto, and perfectus. Displaced native Old English fulfremed.
1
Grammar, Human sciences, Linguistics, Sciences The perfect tense, or a form in that tense.
2
Video games 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?!: