# perform

/pɝˈfɔɹm/ (US) · /pəfˈɔːm/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/perform
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to do a task

verb · CEFR A2

to do a piece of work, a task, or a duty.

For teachers: to carry out or execute an action, task, or function. Transitive — requires a direct object.

- The doctors need to perform a few more tests before you can go home.
- The research team was required to perform a series of complex calculations to verify the structural integrity of the bridge design.

### 2. to entertain

verb · CEFR A2

to act, sing, or play music in front of an audience.

For teachers: to present a form of entertainment, such as a play or concert, to an audience. Ambitransitive — can be used with or without a direct object.

- The school choir will perform three songs at the holiday concert.
- The local theatre company plans to perform a modern adaptation of the classic tragedy during the summer festival.

### 3. to function

verb · CEFR B1

to work or operate in a specific way.

For teachers: to function or operate according to a standard or expected pattern. Intransitive — often modified by an adverb of manner.

- The new car performs very well on long trips and uses less fuel.
- Despite the extreme weather conditions, the solar panels continued to perform efficiently throughout the winter months.

### 4. to fulfill a contract

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal · Technical

to do what you promised to do in a legal agreement.

For teachers: to fulfill the obligations or requirements set forth in a legal contract or agreement.

- The company failed to perform its duties as listed in the contract.
- The court ruled that the defendant had failed to perform the specific services outlined in the service-level agreement, leading to a breach of contract.

### 5. to behave for show

verb · CEFR C1 · Academic

to act in a certain way to give people a specific impression of you.

For teachers: to behave in a theatrical or deliberate manner to project a specific identity or trait. Often used in social science contexts regarding gender or social roles.

- He felt he had to perform a tough persona to fit in with the group.
- Sociologists argue that individuals often perform specific social roles to meet the expectations of their professional environment.

## Examples

- The surgeon will perform the operation tomorrow morning.
- The software is designed to perform complex calculations in seconds, saving the engineering team hours of manual work.
- While the lead actor was unable to perform due to illness, the understudy stepped in and delivered a performance that captivated the entire audience.

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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.