I. per ‧ fect 1 S2 W2 /ˈpɜːfɪkt $ ˈpɜːr-/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ perfection ≠ ↑ imperfection , ↑ perfectionist , ↑ perfectionism , ↑ perfectibility ; adjective : ↑ perfect ≠ ↑ imperfect , ↑ perfectible , ↑ perfectionist ; verb : ↑ perfect ; adverb : ↑ perfectly ≠ ↑ imperfectly ]
[ Date: 1200-1300 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: parfit , from Latin perfectus , past participle of perficere 'to do completely, finish' ]
1 . not having any mistakes, faults, or damage OPP imperfect :
His English was perfect.
The car was in perfect condition.
You’re very lucky to have perfect teeth.
a perfect performance
In a perfect world, we wouldn’t need an army.
2 . as good as possible, or the best of its kind:
The weather was perfect the whole week.
a perfect example of Gothic architecture
The clothes were a perfect fit.
a perfect solution to the problem
Ronnie was in perfect health.
perfect timing (=used when something happens at exactly the right time)
Good, you’re home. Perfect timing – dinner’s on the table.
3 . exactly what is needed for a particular purpose, situation, or person SYN ideal :
That’s perfect! Just the way I wanted it to look.
Crusty bread is the perfect accompaniment to this soup.
perfect for
The land is perfect for sheep farming.
perfect way/place/time etc to do something
She thought she’d found the perfect place to live.
perfect day/place/person etc for something
a perfect day for a picnic
the perfect actor for the part
4 . nobody’s perfect spoken said when you are answering someone who has criticized you or someone else:
So I made a mistake! Nobody’s perfect.
5 . have a perfect right to do something used to emphasize that it is reasonable for someone to do something:
He has a perfect right to know what’s happening.
6 . perfect stranger/fool/angel etc used to emphasize that someone has a particular quality completely SYN complete , total :
I felt a perfect idiot.
⇨ ↑ perfectly , ⇨ practice makes perfect at ↑ practice (9), ⇨ ↑ present perfect , ↑ past perfect
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meanings 1, 2 & 3)
■ adverbs
▪ absolutely perfect
His sight is absolutely perfect.
▪ quite perfect written (=absolutely perfect)
The old bottle was very dark blue and quite perfect.
▪ almost/nearly/near perfect
His collection included an almost perfect skeleton of an armadillo.
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Her performance was near perfect.
▪ less than perfect (=not perfect)
So many excellent writers, for example Byron and Keats, were less than perfect spellers.
▪ far from perfect (=not at all perfect)
The weather conditions were far from perfect.
▪ technically perfect
The system was technically perfect.
• • •
THESAURUS
■ without anything wrong
▪ perfect used about something that is very good in every way, and could not be better:
We had a wonderful vacation - the weather was perfect.
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The meal was absolutely perfect.
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She has perfect teeth.
▪ flawless/faultless without any mistakes or faults:
His English was flawless.
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a faultless performance
▪ impeccable so good that you cannot find anything wrong with it – used especially about someone’s behaviour, taste, or experience:
The food was excellent and the service impeccable.
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a man of impeccable manners, charm, and sensibility
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her mother's impeccable taste in clothing
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The commission was composed of economists with impeccable credentials (=very impressive qualifications and experience, which are impossible to criticize) .
▪ unspoiled ( also unspoilt British English ) an unspoiled area has not been changed or had ugly buildings, roads etc built on it:
a beautiful area of unspoiled countryside
■ most suitable
▪ perfect completely suitable for something or someone:
It’s the perfect place to relax after a hard day at work.
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It was a perfect day for going to the beach.
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I think she would be perfect for him.
▪ ideal very suitable and exactly what you want – often used about someone or something that you imagine, but which does not really exist:
What would be your ideal job?
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She still hasn’t found her ideal man.
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It is the ideal place for a vacation.
▪ just right especially spoken very good or suitable in every way:
The weather was just right for a day at the beach.
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The dress is just right for you.
▪ be just the thing/person informal to be exactly what is needed or wanted:
Cold lemonade is just the thing on a hot day.
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He’s just the person for the job.
II. per ‧ fect 2 /pəˈfekt $ pər-/ BrE AmE verb [transitive]
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ perfection ≠ ↑ imperfection , ↑ perfectionist , ↑ perfectionism , ↑ perfectibility ; adjective : ↑ perfect ≠ ↑ imperfect , ↑ perfectible , ↑ perfectionist ; verb : ↑ perfect ; adverb : ↑ perfectly ≠ ↑ imperfectly ]
to make something as good as you are able to:
Mock trials help students perfect their legal skills.
III. per ‧ fect 3 /ˈpɜːfɪkt $ ˈpɜːr-/ BrE AmE noun
the perfect technical the form of a verb which is used when talking about a period of time up to and including the present. In English, it is formed with ‘have’ and the past participle. SYN present perfect
⇨ ↑ past perfect