imperfect

[ im-pur-fikt ]

adjective

1. relating to or characterized by defects or weaknesses:

   With my imperfect vision I couldn’t make out the street name.

   Synonyms: faulty, defective

2. not perfect; lacking completeness:

   Human knowledge on all subjects is imperfect.

   Synonyms: immature, underdeveloped, incomplete

   Antonyms: complete

3. Grammar. designating a verb aspect, tense, or other verb category used to express an action or state still in process at some point of reference in time, especially in the past.
4. Law. being without legal effect or support; unenforceable.
5. Botany. (of a flower) diclinous.
6. Music. of or relating to the interval of a major or minor third or sixth. Compare perfect ( def 11a ).

noun

, Grammar.

1. 1. in some languages, a verb aspect, tense, or other verb category used to express an action or state still in process at some point of reference in time, especially in the past.
   2. an instance or form of a specific verb in such an aspect, tense, or construction, such as Latin portābam “I was carrying.”

imperfect

/ ɪmˈpɜːfɪkt /

adjective

1. exhibiting or characterized by faults, mistakes, etc; defective
2. not complete or finished; deficient
3. botany
   1. (of flowers) lacking functional stamens or pistils
   2. (of fungi) not undergoing sexual reproduction
4. grammar denoting a tense of verbs used most commonly in describing continuous or repeated past actions or events, as for example was walking as opposed to walked
5. law (of a trust, an obligation, etc) lacking some necessary formality to make effective or binding; incomplete; legally unenforceable See also executory
6. music
   1. (of a cadence) proceeding to the dominant from the tonic, subdominant, or any chord other than the dominant
   2. of or relating to all intervals other than the fourth, fifth, and octave Compare perfect

noun

1. grammar
   1. the imperfect tense
   2. a verb in this tense

Derived Forms

• imˈperfectness, noun
• imˈperfectly, adverb

Other Words From

• im·per·fect·ly adverb
• im·per·fect·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of imperfect¹

First recorded in 1300–50; from Latin imperfectus “unfinished”; equivalent to im- ² + perfect; replacing Middle English imparfit, from Middle French imparfait, from Latin, as above

Example Sentences

Exit polls are imperfect, but they suggest where each party gained and lost votes since 2020.

From Salon

This is an imperfect practice at best, and one that has never been applied uniformly.

From Los Angeles Times

One thing is certain: Donald Trump lacks any understanding of what has made American democracy, flawed and imperfect as it has always been, a beacon of hope for the world.

From Salon

We cannot create a society that holds itself together instead of ripping itself apart, unless and until we first protect loving bonds — even unfamiliar-seeming or imperfect ones — in America’s families.

From Salon

An imperfect way of getting a sense of how his vice-president might govern – and with no opportunity to build a personal relationship – but not entirely useless at getting something of a handle on it.

From BBC

Related Words

• immature
• incomplete
• inexact
• rudimentary
• sketchy
• warped