1
a
: being entirely without fault or defect : flawless
a perfect diamond
b
: satisfying all requirements : accurate
c
: corresponding to an ideal standard or abstract concept
a perfect gentleman
d
: faithfully reproducing the original
specifically
: letter-perfect
e
: legally valid
2
: expert, proficient
practice makes perfect
3
b
: lacking in no essential detail : complete
c
obsolete
: sane
d
: absolute, unequivocal
enjoys perfect happiness
e
: of an extreme kind : unmitigated
a perfect brat
an act of perfect foolishness
4
obsolete
: mature
5
: of, relating to, or constituting a verb form or verbal that expresses an action or state completed at the time of speaking or at a time spoken of
7
of a musical interval
: belonging to the consonances unison, fourth, fifth, and octave which become augmented or diminished when raised or lowered by a half step
8
a
: sexually mature and fully differentiated
a perfect insect
b
: having both stamens and pistils in the same flower
a perfect flower
perfected; perfecting; perfects
perfecter
noun
: the perfect tense of a language
also
: a verb form in the perfect tense
Synonyms
Examples of perfect in a Sentence
Adjective
He drew a perfect circle.
She's a perfect baby. She hardly cries and she sleeps through the night.
His behavior is a perfect example of what not to do.
This is a perfect time to have a wedding.
Going to the museum was a perfect way to spend a rainy day.
“Is that a big enough piece of pie?” “Yes, it's perfect, thanks.”
Verb
perfected the arrangements for their long-awaited European vacation
an art teacher who seems to believe that you can always perfect a painting with some additional brush strokes
Recent Examples on the Web
Alexis Benveniste, Travel + Leisure, 22 Dec. 2024
Fresh baby spinach: Once cooked down, spinach turns silky and tender, perfect for filling up lots of lasagna layers.
—Amanda Holstein, Southern Living, 22 Dec. 2024
Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 23 Dec. 2024
To prepare for this new venture, Sergent studied with Floris London, one of the oldest perfumeries in the world, to perfect the art of creating bespoke aromas.
—Rachel King, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024
Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 4 Nov. 2024
Set steps from Playa Manzanillo, the space has rustic interiors: exposed wood beams, floor-to-ceiling windows looking into the foliage, and a private outdoor nook perfect for morning coffees.
—Michaela Trimble, Vogue, 7 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for perfect 
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Adjective
From breezy linen pants that are ideal for tropical vacations to leather motorcycle jackets perfect for a night out, there’s something for every kind of trip and traveler.
—Alexis Benveniste, Travel + Leisure, 22 Dec. 2024
Fresh baby spinach: Once cooked down, spinach turns silky and tender, perfect for filling up lots of lasagna layers.
—Amanda Holstein, Southern Living, 22 Dec. 2024
Verb
Our tour began in earnest in the bridge-making department, where we were given the opportunity to attempt the hand-finishing techniques that Patek has perfected—perlage, anglage, circular graining, and chamfering.
—Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 23 Dec. 2024
To prepare for this new venture, Sergent studied with Floris London, one of the oldest perfumeries in the world, to perfect the art of creating bespoke aromas.
—Rachel King, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024
Noun
What else to say when your quarterback came in with the league’s best passer rating and improved on it with the fourth perfect (158.3) game of his career?
—Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 4 Nov. 2024
Set steps from Playa Manzanillo, the space has rustic interiors: exposed wood beams, floor-to-ceiling windows looking into the foliage, and a private outdoor nook perfect for morning coffees.
—Michaela Trimble, Vogue, 7 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for perfect
Dictionary Entries Near perfect
Cite this Entry
“Perfect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perfect. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
perfect
1 of 3 adjective
per·fect
ˈpər-fikt 
1
a
: being entirely without fault or defect : flawless
c
: pure sense 3, total
perfect stillness
2
: of an extreme kind
a perfect fool
3
: of, relating to, or being a verb form in the perfect tense
4
: having both stamens and pistil
a perfect flower
perfect
2 of 3 verb
per·fect
pər-ˈfekt
also ˈpər-fikt
1
: to make perfect
2
: to bring to final form
perfecter
noun
perfect
3 of 3 noun
per·fect
ˈpər-fikt
1
2
: a verb form in the perfect tense
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English perfit "complete, thoroughly or accurately done," from early French parfit (same meaning), from Latin perfectus "complete, perfect," derived from perficere "to carry out, complete," from per- "completely" and -ficere, from facere "to make, do" — related to artificial, fashion, satisfy
Legal Definition
perfect
2 of 2 transitive verb
per·fect
pər-ˈfekt
: to complete or put in final conformity with the law: as
a
: to make (an appeal) ready for transfer to an appeals court by satisfying procedural requirements
b
: to put (one's security interest) in a position or status having priority over subsequently perfected security interests or unperfected security interests by taking statutorily prescribed steps to give notice especially by filing a financing statement or taking possession of the collateral
was the first creditor to perfect its security interest in the debtor's collateral, and, thus, was the first in priority for the collateral—Commercial Bank v. Pride Furniture, Inc., 877 P.2d 1222 (1994)
compare attach sense 3
Commercial Bank v. Pride Furniture, Inc., 877 P.2d 1222 (1994)
: to make something (as a security interest) complete, in conformity with the law, or valid against third-party claims
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