| Date: | 1200-1300 |
| Language: | Old French |
| Origin: | parfit, from Latin perfectus, past participle of perficere 'to do completely, finish' |
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per‧fect1 S2 W2

1 not having any mistakes, faults, or damage [≠ imperfect]:
His English was perfect.
The car was in perfect condition.
You're very lucky to have perfect teeth.
a perfect performance
His English was perfect.
The car was in perfect condition.
You're very lucky to have perfect teeth.
a perfect performance2 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.
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.
Good, you're home. Perfect timing - dinner's on the table.3 exactly what is needed for a particular purpose, situation, or person [= ideal]:
That's perfect! Just the way I wanted it to look.
Crusty bread is the perfect accompaniment to this soup.
That's perfect! Just the way I wanted it to look.
Crusty bread is the perfect accompaniment to this soup. perfect day/place/person etc for something
a perfect day for a picnic
the perfect actor for the part
a perfect day for a picnic
the perfect actor for the part4 said when you are answering someone who has criticized you or someone else :
So I made a mistake! Nobody's perfect.
nobody's perfect
spoken
So I made a mistake! Nobody's perfect.5 used to emphasize that it is reasonable for someone to do something :
He has a perfect right to know what's happening.
have a perfect right to do something
He has a perfect right to know what's happening.6 used to emphasize that someone has a particular quality completely [= complete, total]:
I felt a perfect idiot.
perfect stranger/fool/angel etc
I felt a perfect idiot. ➔ perfectly
