English Reference
Noun

perfectionist

n.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /pɝˈfɛkʃənəst/ UK /pəfˈɛkʃənˌɪst/ per·fec·tion·ist UK spelling perfectionist's, perfectionist's Philosophy

n.a person who believes that everything must be perfect. They often spend a lot of time trying to fix small mistakes.

n.a person who demands that everything be perfect or as close to perfect as possible. Often used to describe someone with an obsessive concern for detail and quality.


SIMPLE

He is a perfectionist and never leaves his desk until everything is perfect.

CONTEXTUAL

The project was delayed because the lead designer was a perfectionist who refused to approve the final layout until every color was exactly right.

COMPLEX

While a perfectionist's attention to detail can lead to exceptional results, it often comes at the cost of efficiency, as they spend disproportionate amounts of time on minor aesthetic adjustments.

A true perfectionist – he wouldn’t present anything that wasn’t to his standard and it was an honour to witness.

The Guardian· 1 Sept 2026

She said: "It's actually perfectionists or those who go the extra mile who are more likely to experience this.

BBC News· 1 Sept 2026

From perfection + -ist.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated