# performance

/pɝˈfɔɹməns/ (US) · /pəfˈɔːməns/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/performance
Updated: 2026-07-22

## Senses

### 1. artistic show

noun · CEFR B1

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

For teachers: 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.

### 2. quality of work

noun · CEFR B1

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

For teachers: 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.

### 3. technical capability

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

the speed or power of a machine or computer.

For teachers: 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.

### 4. linguistic use

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

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

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The band gave a great performance last night.
- The manager reviewed her annual performance to decide if she deserved a promotion this year.
- While the lead actor's performance was technically flawless, the production suffered from a lack of chemistry between the supporting cast members.

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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.