Origin: Latin suffix -tion
Perfection has 5 different meanings across 1 category:
the state of being without a flaw or defect
"The chef inspected every dish to ensure it reached absolute perfection before serving it."
an ideal instance; a perfect embodiment of a concept
"The athlete's flawless victory was considered a true perfection of competitive spirit."
the act of making something perfect
"The artist's relentless pursuit of perfection in her sculpture continued long after everyone else had left the studio."
The quality or state of being perfect or complete, so that nothing substandard remains; the highest attainable state or degree of excellence
"The chef aimed to achieve perfection in every dish by ensuring no ingredient was wasted and every flavor reached its highest potential."
In plain English: Perfection is when something has no mistakes at all and meets every single standard perfectly.
"She felt that her new garden was finally reaching perfection with the last flower blooming in its perfect spot."
Usage: Perfection refers to an ideal standard where no flaws exist, often used when describing unattainable goals rather than realistic achievements. Avoid using it interchangeably with "excellence," as perfection implies a complete absence of error while excellence simply denotes high quality.
To perfect.
"The chef continued to refine the recipe until he achieved perfection in every bite."
The word perfection entered English through the Norman conquest via Old and Middle French, derived directly from the Latin term for "the state of being completed." It replaced an earlier native Anglo-Saxon synonym to describe the quality or process of achieving a perfect condition.