perfect
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
How often you will meet it
Rank 819 of 71,295 words measured. It occurs 22,154 times across 155,139 chapters — 0.011% of every word in the library.
It belongs to the first 1,000 words, the band worth learning before any other.
What it means
adjective
- being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish a perfect circlea perfect reproduction
- without qualification; used informally as (often pejorative) intensifiers also: arrant, complete, consummate, double-dyed, everlasting, gross an arrant foola complete coward
- precisely accurate or exact perfect timing
verb
- make perfect or complete also: hone perfect your French in Paris!
noun
- a tense of verbs used in describing action that has been completed (sometimes regarded as perfective aspect) also: perfective, perfective tense, perfect tense
perfect in real books
Each sentence below was written by a published author and is taken from a different book in our library. Open one to read the passage it came from, with narration.
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Old Baltus Van Tassel was a perfect picture of a thriving, contented, liberal-hearted farmer.
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow · Washington Irving · Chapter 1
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In small proportions we just beauties see; And in short measures life may perfect be.
Poems Every Child Should Know · Mary E. (Mary Elizabeth) [Editor] Burt · Chapter 1
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The perfect calmness with which she spoke of this extraordinary freak added to my confusion.
The Little Nugget · P. G. (Pelham Grenville) Wodehouse · Chapter 1
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A brighter star, I'm sure I never saw-- And perfect form, without a speck or flaw.
The White Christmas and other Merry · Walter Ben Hare · Chapter 1
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Hers had just presented her with a lovely coupe, lined with yellow satin, a perfect bijou.
Other People's Money · Emile Gaboriau · Chapter 1