perfection

noun

per·​fec·​tion pər-ˈfek-shən 

1

: the quality or state of being perfect: such as

a

: freedom from fault or defect : flawlessness

b

: maturity

c

: the quality or state of being saintly

2

a

: an exemplification of supreme excellence

b

: an unsurpassable degree of accuracy or excellence

3

: the act or process of perfecting

Synonyms

• choiceness
• distinction
• excellence
• excellency
• first-rateness
• greatness
• preeminence
• primeness
• superbness
• superiority
• supremacy

Examples of perfection in a Sentence

She has achieved a rare perfection in her playing.

His poetry is pure perfection.

Recent Examples on the Web

TikTok rose to prominence during the pandemic as a place to share entertaining, short videos without the expectation of perfection that hangs over apps like Instagram. —Steven T. Dennis, Fortune, 20 Apr. 2024

Nature’s Rival Antonio Canova’s clay models reveal the creative struggle behind the classical perfection of his marble sculptures. —David Shulman, The New York Review of Books, 18 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English perfeccioun, from Anglo-French perfection, from Latin perfection-, perfectio, from perficere

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing perfection

• to perfection

Kids Definition

perfection

noun

per·​fec·​tion pər-ˈfek-shən 

1

: the quality or state of being perfect

2

: a perfect quality or thing

3

: a degree of accuracy or excellence that cannot be bettered

cooked to perfection

4

: the act or process of perfecting