# perfection

/pɝˈfɛkʃən/ (US) · /pəfˈɛkʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/perfection
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. flawlessness

noun · CEFR B2

the state of being perfect, with no mistakes or faults.

For teachers: the state or quality of being perfect; the highest possible degree of excellence or faultlessness.

- The chef spent years trying to reach perfection with his signature bread recipe.
- The pianist's performance was a study in technical perfection, leaving the audience in stunned silence as the final note faded.

### 2. an ideal example

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

a person or thing that is a perfect example of something.

For teachers: a quality, endowment, or individual considered to be an ideal or a manifestation of complete excellence.

- The garden in full bloom was a perfection of color and design.
- To the young poet, the elder writer's latest collection represented a perfection of the lyric form that seemed impossible to replicate.

### 3. legal validation

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · Formal

the process of making a legal claim official and protected.

For teachers: the process or act of establishing official recognition for a legal claim, typically regarding security interests or liens.

- The bank completed the perfection of its claim on the property to ensure it was protected.
- Failure to ensure the timely perfection of the security interest left the creditor vulnerable during the subsequent bankruptcy proceedings.

Usage: Often used in the phrase 'perfection of a security interest'.

## Examples

- She practiced the piano piece until she reached perfection.
- The chef spent years refining the recipe in his quest for culinary perfection.
- While the pursuit of perfection can drive significant innovation, it often leads to a paralyzing fear of failure that prevents the completion of more practical projects.

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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.