imperfect

¹im·per·fect

adj \(ˌ)im-ˈpər-fikt\

Definition of IMPERFECT

1

: not perfect: as a : defective b of a flower : having stamens or pistils but not both c : lacking or not involving sexual reproduction <the imperfect stage of a fungus>

2

: of, relating to, or constituting a verb tense used to designate a continuing state or an incomplete action especially in the past

3

: not enforceable at law

— im·per·fect·ly \-fik(t)-lē\ adverb

— im·per·fect·ness \-fik(t)-nəs\ noun

Examples of IMPERFECT

1. It's an imperfect solution to a difficult problem.
2. He had an imperfect understanding of the task.
3. In “He was singing when I came in,” “was singing” is in the imperfect tense.

Origin of IMPERFECT

alteration of Middle English imparfit, from Latin imperfectus, from in- + perfectus perfect

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to IMPERFECT

Synonyms: amiss, bad, defective, flawed, faulty

Antonyms: faultless, flawless, impeccable, perfect

Related Words: fallible; blemished, broken, crippled, damaged, defaced, disfigured, harmed, hurt, impaired, injured, marred, spoiled, vitiated; deficient, inadequate, incomplete, insufficient, wanting

Near Antonyms: complete, entire, intact, whole; unblemished, undamaged, unimpaired, unspoiled

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Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

ablaut, allusion, anacoluthon, diacritic, gerund, idiom, infinitive, metaphor, semiotics, simile