Imperfect

Pronunciation

• US IPA: /ɪmˈpɝːfɪkt/, /ɪmˈpɝːfÉ›kt/

Origin

From Middle English imperfit, from Old French imparfit (modern: imparfait), from Latin imperfectus. Spelling modified 15c. to conform Latin etymology. See - + perfect.

Full definition of imperfect

Adjective

1. Not perfect.
• ShakespeareWhy, then, your other senses grow imperfect.
• MiltonNothing imperfect or deficient left
  Of all that he created.
• Alexander PopeThen say not man's imperfect, Heaven in fault;
  Say rather, man's as perfect as he ought.
2. (botany) unisexual: having either male (with stamens) or female (with pistil) flowers, but not with both.
3. (taxonomy) Known or expected to be polyphyletic, as of a form taxon.
4. (obsolete) Lacking some elementary organ that is essential to successful or normal activity.
• Jeremy TaylorHe ... stammered like a child, or an amazed, imperfect person.

Related terms

• imperfection

Synonyms

• (not perfect) defective, fallible, faultful

Antonyms

• (not perfect) perfect, infallible, faultless
• (unisexual) perfect

Noun

1. Something having a minor flaw
2. (grammar) A tense of verbs used in describing a past action that is incomplete or continuous.