# imperfect

/ˌɪmˈpɝfɪkt/ (US) · /ɪmpˈɜːfɛkt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/imperfect
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. having flaws

adjective · CEFR B1

having some faults, mistakes, or parts that are not quite right.

For teachers: not perfect; having flaws, defects, or deficiencies.

- The vase was cheaper because it was imperfect and had a small crack.
- Even an imperfect plan is often better than no plan at all when a crisis requires immediate and decisive action.

### 2. grammar: continuous past

adjective · CEFR B2 · Technical

describing a verb tense for an action in the past that was not finished or happened many times.

For teachers: denoting a tense of verbs used to describe a past action that is incomplete, continuous, or habitual.

- In the sentence 'I was walking', the verb is in the imperfect tense.
- The student struggled to distinguish between the preterite and the imperfect when narrating stories in Spanish.

Usage: Usually placed before the noun 'tense' or 'aspect'.

### 3. botany: unisexual

adjective · CEFR C2 · Technical

describing a flower that has only male parts or only female parts, but not both.

For teachers: having either stamens or pistils, but not both; unisexual.

- Corn plants have imperfect flowers because the male and female parts are separate.
- The botanist explained that imperfect flowers require cross-pollination to produce seeds effectively.

### 4. a flawed item

noun · CEFR B2

an object that has a small mistake or flaw, often sold at a lower price.

For teachers: an item, typically a manufactured good, that possesses a minor flaw or defect.

- The factory shop sells imperfects at a fifty percent discount.
- The quality control team sorted the garments into first-quality items and imperfects destined for the outlet store.

### 5. grammar: the tense

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the name of the verb tense used for unfinished past actions.

For teachers: the imperfect tense or aspect itself.

- The teacher asked the class to conjugate the verb in the imperfect.
- The use of the imperfect in this poem creates a sense of nostalgia by focusing on ongoing past states rather than completed events.

## Examples

- The old vase is imperfect but still very beautiful.
- Even an imperfect plan is better than having no plan at all during an emergency.
- The witness provided an imperfect account of the events, struggling to recall specific details under the pressure of the cross-examination.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.