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Added 1 October 2026

perfect

/ˈpɜː.fɪkt/ adjective

In Latin: perfectus Wiktionary

adjective Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about perfect at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Fitting its definition precisely.
a perfect circle
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.
Without fault or mistake; without flaw, of supreme quality.
The gymnast performed a perfect somersault.

noun

The perfect tense, or a form in that tense.
A perfect score; the achievement of finishing a stage or task with no mistakes.
A leader of the Cathar movement.

verb

To make perfect; to improve or hone.
I am going to perfect this article.
To take an action, usually the filing of a document in the correct venue, that secures a legal right.
perfect an appeal

Origin

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.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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