English · Word Candidate

perfection

/pɚˈfɛk.ʃən/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: perfections · perfectioning · perfectioned

Sense 1

Meaning · English

The quality or state of being perfect or complete, so that nothing substandard remains; the highest attainable state or degree of excellence.

Noun

Examples

near-perfection

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

A quality, endowment, or acquirement completely excellent; an ideal; faultlessness; especially, the divine attribute of complete excellence.

Noun

Examples

No tongue can her perfections tell

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

To perfect.

Verb

Examples

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.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “perfection” mean?

The quality or state of being perfect or complete, so that nothing substandard remains; the highest attainable state or degree of excellence.

Is “perfection” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.