perfection

[ per-fek-shuhn ]

noun

1. the state or quality of being or becoming perfect.
2. the highest degree of proficiency, skill, or excellence, as in some art.
3. a perfect embodiment or example of something.
4. a quality, trait, or feature of the highest degree of excellence.
5. the highest or most nearly perfect degree of a quality or trait.
6. the act or fact of perfecting.

perfection

/ pəˈfɛkʃən /

noun

1. the act of perfecting or the state or quality of being perfect
2. the highest degree of a quality, etc

   the perfection of faithfulness

3. an embodiment of perfection

Other Words From

• hyper·per·fection noun
• nonper·fection noun
• super·per·fection noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of perfection¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; from Latin perfectiōn-, stem of perfectiō “completion, finishing”; equivalent to perfect + -ion; replacing Middle English perfeccioun, perfectiun, from Anglo-French, from Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of perfection¹

C13: from Latin perfectiō a completing, from perficere to finish

Example Sentences

England captain Harry Kane's diplomacy skills are almost as carefully crafted to the point of perfection as the marksmanship that has made him his country's all-time record goalscorer.

From BBC

Parts of Elisabeth’s story did hit me deeply, namely, the violence we can have against ourselves in the pursuit of some idea of perfection.

From Los Angeles Times

Singer Art Garfunkel, who with Paul Simon provided a 1960s soundtrack for baby boomers, delivers poignancy if not vocal perfection in Costa Mesa.

From Los Angeles Times

He’s more meticulous than I am, but I recognize his desire for perfection.

From Los Angeles Times

Fans may assume Beyoncé is the living embodiment of perfection, but Palmer doesn’t see it that way.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• accomplishment
• evolution
• excellence
• fulfillment
• ideal
• integrity
• precision
• purity
• quality
• superiority
• supremacy
• transcendence
• virtue