Perfection Meaning
/pɚˈfɛk.ʃən/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounThe quality or state of being perfect or complete, so that nothing substandard remains; the highest attainable state or degree of excellence.
nounA quality, endowment, or acquirement completely excellent; an ideal; faultlessness; especially, the divine attribute of complete excellence.
Sentence Examples
Perfection is a trifle dull.
The Venus de Milo is the perfection of beauty.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
The chef's attention to detail was so high that he constantly strived for ____ in every dish.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The chef's obsession with ____ meant that every dish was tested dozens of times before being served.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English perfeccioun, from Old French perfection, from Latin perfectiō. Equivalent to perfect + -ion. Displaced native Old English fulfremednes.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Think, think about the way of rejection / You're not the only one reaching for perfection / Think, think about the reason you exist / I got something you might not wanna miss"
— 1977, Ashford & Simpson, “Don't Cost You Nothing”, in Send It:
"No tongue can her perfections tell"
— a. 1587, Philippe Sidnei [i.e., Philip Sidney], “(please specify the folio)”, in [Fulke Greville; Matthew Gwinne; John Florio], editors, The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia [The New Arcadia], London: […] [John Windet] for William Ponsonbie, published 1590, →OCLC:
"My plan, gentlemen, is to be conſider'd as a ſuperſtructure on that admirable foundation laid by the modern profeſſor of Engliſh, both our labours tending to the ſame general end; the perfectioning of our countrymen in a moſt eſſential article, the right uſe of their native language."
— 1762, [Samuel] Foote, The Orators. […], Dublin: […] Thomas Richey, […], →OCLC, Act I, page 10:
"Sooner I'd kneel unto the modern nine / Alike perfectioned, though a virgin's name / They cannot boast[…]"
— 1770, William Woty, Mock Invocation to Genius:
"The most vain of the Assistants, she knows she's beautiful and let it know to the world. Acts like an ojousama and spends most of her time perfectioning her make-up."
— 2001 December 3, OLF, i.e. Olf Le Fol, “AHSM Storytellers, Profiles”, in alt.hentai.sailor-moon (Usenet):
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The chef's attention to detail was so high that he constantly strived for ____ in every dish.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The chef's obsession with ____ meant that every dish was tested dozens of times before being served.