English Reference

Word

performance

Phoneticsper·for·mance, stress on the second syllable

US/pɝˈfɔɹməns/

UK/pəfˈɔːməns/

Definitions

01artistic show

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Theater

n. the act of acting, singing, or dancing for an audience.

n. a public presentation of a play, concert, or other form of entertainment.

“The actors gave a wonderful performance that the audience loved.”

“The final performance of the season was met with a standing ovation from the critics and the public alike.”

02quality of work

B1 · Intermediate Uncountable noun

n. how well a person, machine, or company does a piece of work.

n. the quality or effectiveness with which a task or operation is executed.

“His performance at work has improved a lot over the last month.”

“The manager conducted a thorough review of the team's performance to identify areas where technical efficiency could be improved.”

Antonyms

03technical capability

B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Computing Technical

n. the speed or power of a machine or computer.

n. the capabilities of a machine, vehicle, or electronic system, often measured against specific benchmarks.

“This new software will improve the performance of your computer.”

“Engineers are working to optimise the performance of the new engine to ensure it meets strict environmental standards without losing power.”

04linguistic use

C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Science Academic

n. the way people actually use language when they speak, which might include mistakes.

n. the actual production and comprehension of language in real-world instances, contrasted with theoretical competence.

“In real life, a speaker's performance is often affected by tiredness or stress.”

“Chomsky distinguished between linguistic competence, the idealised knowledge of rules, and performance, the actual use of language in concrete situations.”

Usage

Often contrasted with 'competence' in linguistic theory.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Collocations

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “performance” in context.

Verb

01. achieve performance

“The team worked hard to achieve high performance in the final quarter.”

verb + noun

02. affect performance

“Lack of sleep can seriously affect your performance at school.”

verb + noun

03. assess performance

“Managers meet every six months to assess the performance of their staff.”

verb + noun

04. compare performance

“We need to compare the performance of these two different computer models.”

verb + noun

05. enhance performance

“Athletes often use special diets to enhance their physical performance.”

verb + noun

06. evaluate performance

“The teacher will evaluate your performance based on your final presentation.”

verb + noun

07. examine performance

“The committee will examine the performance of the company over the last year.”

verb + noun

08. impair performance

“Drinking alcohol can significantly impair your performance while driving.”

verb + noun

09. improve performance

“New software was installed to improve the performance of the network.”

verb + noun

Adjective

10. actual performance

“There was a big difference between his predicted and actual performance.”

adj + noun

11. economic performance

“The country's economic performance has been very strong this year.”

adj + noun

12. improved performance

“The athlete's improved performance was due to a new training schedule.”

adj + noun

Real-World Examples

“Performance was good, bringing relative humidity down by 4% in a short time, and its capacity and smart controls make it a great all-rounder.”
The Guardian 30 Sept 2026
“It significantly lags top-end rivals from Qualcomm and Apple, so won’t win any raw performance awards, but feels snappy in daily tasks and can handle mid-level gaming just fine.”
The Guardian 7 Sept 2026
“It also beats the once groundbreaking M1 Pro MacBook Pro from 2021 in all metrics, which means you get pro-level performance across the board from the Air.”
The Guardian 15 Apr 2026
“Well-structured and thoughtfully administered performance evaluations can serve as a powerful mechanism for managing and assessing the capabilities and output of a company's workforce, while also delivering constructive feedback to employees.”
Reuters 1 Nov 2025

Etymology

From Middle English parfourmaunce; equivalent to perform + -ance.

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

Word family

Related words

Idioms

Domains

ArtComputingLinguistics

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
Frequency
Very common
Level
B1 · IntermediateOxford
Updated

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