What is perfect? How to use in English

Definition & pronunciation of perfect

perfectadjective

hoàn hảo

/ˈpəːfɪkt/

Definition & pronunciation of <b>perfect</b>

Where does the word perfect come from?

The word "perfect" has its roots in Latin. The Latin word "perfectus" means "completed" or " finished" and is derived from the verb "perficere," which means "to bring to an end" or "to complete." This Latin word is also related to the concept of spiritual perfection, which is also a connotation of the English word "perfect." In Old English, the word "perfect" was borrowed and initially meant "complete" or "finished." Later, during the Middle English period, the word came to be used to describe something as flawless, faultless, or without imperfection. This sense of flawlessness or completeness has been the dominant meaning of "perfect" in Modern English. So, in short, the word "perfect" has evolved from Latin to emphasize the idea of completion or spiritual perfection, and is now used to describe something as flawless and faultless.

Vocabulary summary perfect

typeadjective

meaningperfect, completely

examplea perfect stranger

examplea perfect likeness: exact likeness, identicalness

exampleperfect nonsense: completely absurd

meaningproficient

exampleto perfect oneself in a foreign language

meaning(linguistics) complete

examplethe perfect tense

typenoun

meaning(linguistics) perfect tense

examplea perfect stranger

examplea perfect likeness: exact likeness, identicalness

exampleperfect nonsense: completely absurd

Example of vocabulary perfectnamespace

meaning

having everything that is necessary; complete and without faults or weaknesses

  • in perfect condition
  • He smiled, revealing a perfect set of teeth.
  • Well I'm sorry—but nobody's perfect (= used when somebody has criticized you).
  • In a perfect world, everybody would have everything they needed.
  • What's your idea of the perfect partner?
meaning

completely correct; exact and accurate

  • She speaks perfect English.
  • a perfect fit/match
  • What perfect timing!
meaning

the best of its kind

  • a perfect example of the painter’s early style
  • the perfect crime (= one in which the criminal is never discovered)
meaning

excellent; very good

  • The weather was perfect.
  • I have this dress that would just look perfect on you!
meaning

exactly right for somebody/something

  • Hawaii is the perfect place for a honeymoon.
  • She's the perfect candidate for the job.
  • You and Jeff are perfect for each other.
  • ‘Will 2.30 be OK for you?’ ‘Perfect, thanks.’
meaning

total; complete

  • I don't know him—he's a perfect stranger.
  • I have a perfect right to ask you—and you have the right not to answer.
meaning

connected with the form of a verb that consists of part of the verb have with the past participle of the main verb, used to express actions completed by the present or a particular point in the past or future

  • ‘I have eaten’ is the present perfect tense of the verb ‘to eat’, ‘I had eaten’ is the past perfect and ‘I will have eaten’ is the future perfect.

Idioms of vocabulary perfect

in an ideal/a perfect world
used to say that something is what you would like to happen or what should happen, but you know it cannot
  • In an ideal world we would be recycling and reusing everything.
practice makes perfect
(saying)a way of encouraging people by telling them that if you do an activity regularly and try to improve your skill, you will become very good at it

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