imperfect
imperfect Lexical Profile
imperfect Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Having faults, defects, or errors; not completely accurate, whole, or ideal.
"Although the translation was slightly imperfect, it still captured the main message of the novel."
Relating to a verb tense or aspect that expresses an ongoing, habitual, or uncompleted action in the past.
"In French and Spanish grammar, the imperfect verb forms describe continuous background actions in the past."
Designating a flower that lacks either functional stamens or functional pistils.
"Corn and squash produce imperfect flowers that require pollen to be transferred from male to female blossoms."
• noun
The imperfect tense, aspect, or a verb form in the imperfect.
"Students learning Romance languages must practice distinguishing between the preterite and the imperfect."
A manufactured item or garment sold at a reduced price because of a minor flaw.
"The factory outlet sells slight imperfects at half the original retail price."
• Rhymes for imperfect
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in Middle English from Old French 'imparfait', from Latin 'imperfectus' ('unfinished, incomplete'), formed from the negative prefix 'in-' and 'perfectus', the past participle of 'perficere' ('to complete or finish thoroughly').