Perfectly vs. Perfect — What's the Difference?

Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on April 23, 2024

"Perfectly" is an adverb modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, suggesting something done flawlessly; "Perfect" is an adjective describing something as flawless or ideal.

Perfectly vs. Perfect — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Perfectly and Perfect

Key Differences

"Perfectly" is used to describe the manner in which an action is performed, implying it is done without any flaws or mistakes, while "Perfect" is typically used to describe the state or condition of nouns, indicating they are without any defects.

"Perfectly" enhances verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, often intensifying the quality being described, whereas "Perfect" directly qualifies nouns, attributing them with the highest possible quality.

In expression, "perfectly" can be found in various contexts to emphasize the completeness of an action (e.g., "He performed the song perfectly."), on the other hand, "Perfect" often stands alone or follows a linking verb (e.g., "The weather is perfect.").

Usage of "perfectly" can add a subjective tone to a statement, suggesting an opinion on how well something was done, whereas "Perfect" might state a more objective or generally agreed-upon fact about the noun it describes.

"Perfectly" is inherently more flexible because it can modify a broader range of words, providing nuance to different aspects of speech, whereas "Perfect" primarily focuses on describing nouns, limiting its scope to states or inherent qualities.

Comparison Chart

Part of Speech

Adverb

Adjective

Function

Modifies verbs, adjectives, adverbs

Describes nouns

Example Usage

"She sang perfectly."

"His timing was perfect."

Implication of Usage

Implies manner or degree

Indicates state or quality

Common Contextual Usage

In critiques or reviews

In everyday descriptions

Compare with Definitions

Perfectly

In an ideal way.

The dress fit her perfectly.

Perfect

Completely free from faults or defects.

The sculpture is perfect.

Perfectly

In a manner without faults.

She handled the situation perfectly.

Perfect

Precise, exact.

Her performance was a perfect replication of the original.

Perfectly

Completely, utterly.

The project aligns perfectly with our goals.

Perfect

Ideal, exactly suitable.

This location is perfect for our picnic.

Perfectly

Precisely, exactly.

His answer matched perfectly with the expected response.

Perfect

Unblemished, immaculate.

His record is perfect.

Perfectly

Without any reservations.

He agreed perfectly to the terms.

Perfect

Pure, absolute.

It was a moment of perfect happiness.

Perfectly

In a perfect manner or to a perfect degree.

Perfect

Lacking nothing essential to the whole; complete of its nature or kind.

Perfectly

To a complete or full degree or extent; wholly

The diners were perfectly satisfied with the meal. See Usage Note at perfect.

Perfect

Being without defect or blemish

A perfect specimen.

Perfectly

With perfection.

They completed the first series perfectly.

Perfect

Thoroughly skilled or talented in a certain field or area; proficient.

Perfectly

Wholly, completely, totally.

Their performance was perfectly fine.

Skydiving is jumping out of a perfectly good airplane.

Perfect

Completely suited for a particular purpose or situation

She was the perfect actress for the part.

Perfectly

In a perfect manner or degree; in or to perfection; completely; wholly; throughly; faultlessly.

As many as touched were made perfectly whole.

Perfect

Completely corresponding to a description, standard, or type

A perfect circle.

A perfect gentleman.

Perfectly

In a perfect or faultless way;

She performed perfectly on the balance beam

Spoke English perfectly

Solved the problem perfectly

Perfect

Accurately reproducing an original

A perfect copy of the painting.

Perfect

Complete; thorough; utter

A perfect fool.

Perfect

Pure; undiluted; unmixed

Perfect red.

Perfect

Excellent and delightful in all respects

A perfect day.

Perfect

(Botany) Having both stamens and pistils in the same flower; monoclinous.

Perfect

(Grammar) Of, relating to, or constituting a verb form expressing action completed prior to a fixed point of reference in time.

Perfect

(Music) Designating the three basic intervals of the octave, fourth, and fifth.

Perfect

(Grammar) The aspect of a verb that expresses action completed prior to a fixed point of reference in time.

Perfect

A verb or verb form having this aspect.

Perfect

To bring to perfection or completion

Perfected the technique to isolate the virus.

Perfect

Fitting its definition precisely.

A perfect circle

Perfect

Having all of its parts in harmony with a common purpose.

That bucket with the hole in the bottom is a poor bucket, but it is perfect for watering plants.

Perfect

Without fault or mistake; thoroughly skilled or talented.

Practice makes perfect.

Perfect

Excellent and delightful in all respects.

A perfect day

Perfect

(mathematics) Of a number: equal to the sum of its proper divisors.

6 is perfect because the sum of its proper divisors, 1, 2, and 3, which is 6, is equal to the number itself.

Perfect

Representing a completed action.

Perfect

(botany) Of flowers, having both male parts (stamens) and female parts (carpels).

Perfect

(analysis) Of a set: equal to its set of limit points, i.e. set A is perfect if A=A.

Perfect

(music) Describing an interval or any compound interval of a unison, octave, or fourths and fifths that are not tritones.

Perfect

(of a cocktail) Made with equal parts of sweet and dry vermouth.

A perfect Manhattan; a perfect Rob Roy

Perfect

(obsolete) Well informed; certain; sure.

Perfect

(obsolete) Innocent, guiltless.

Perfect

(grammar) The perfect tense, or a form in that tense.

Perfect

(video games) A perfect score; the achievement of finishing a stage or task with no mistakes.

Perfect

A leader of the Cathar movement.

Perfect

(transitive) To make perfect; to improve or hone.

I am going to perfect this article.

You spend too much time trying to perfect your dancing.

Perfect

(legal) To take an action, usually the filing of a document in the correct venue, that secures a legal right.

Perfect an appeal; perfect an interest; perfect a judgment

Perfect

Brought to consummation or completeness; completed; not defective nor redundant; having all the properties or qualities requisite to its nature and kind; without flaw, fault, or blemish; without error; mature; whole; pure; sound; right; correct.

My strength is made perfect in weakness.

Three glorious suns, each one a perfect sun.

I fear I am not in my perfect mind.

O most entire perfect sacrifice!

God made thee perfect, not immutable.

Perfect

Well informed; certain; sure.

I am perfect that the Pannonains are now in arms.

Perfect

Hermaphrodite; having both stamens and pistils; - said of flower.

Perfect

The perfect tense, or a form in that tense.

Perfect

To make perfect; to finish or complete, so as to leave nothing wanting; to give to anything all that is requisite to its nature and kind.

God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfect in us.

Inquire into the nature and properties of the things, . . . and thereby perfect our ideas of their distinct species.

Perfect

A tense of verbs used in describing action that has been completed (sometimes regarded as perfective aspect)

Perfect

Make perfect or complete;

Perfect your French in Paris!

Perfect

Being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish;

A perfect circle

A perfect reproduction

Perfect happiness

Perfect manners

A perfect specimen

A perfect day

Perfect

Without qualification; used informally as (often pejorative) intensifiers;

An arrant fool

A complete coward

A consummate fool

A double-dyed villain

Gross negligence

A perfect idiot

Pure folly

What a sodding mess

Stark staring mad

A thoroughgoing villain

Utter nonsense

Perfect

Precisely accurate or exact;

Perfect timing

Common Curiosities

Can "perfectly" describe nouns?

No, it modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.

What is the grammatical function of "perfectly"?

It functions as an adverb.

Is "perfectly" used more subjectively than "perfect"?

Yes, it often conveys an opinion on how something is done.

What is the grammatical function of "perfect"?

It is used as an adjective.

What synonyms are common for "perfect"?

Flawless, ideal, impeccable.

What are typical contexts for using "perfect"?

General descriptions, state of things, or qualities.

How does "perfectly" impact the tone of a sentence?

It can intensify the statement and add nuance.

How does "perfect" impact the tone of a sentence?

It states qualities directly, often in a definitive way.

Can "perfect" modify verbs?

No, it describes nouns to indicate their state or quality.

What are typical contexts for using "perfectly"?

Critiques, performance reviews, and personal opinions.

Can "perfectly" and "perfect" be used interchangeably?

No, due to differences in grammatical function and usage contexts.

Which is more flexible in usage, "perfectly" or "perfect"?

Perfectly, because it can modify more types of words.

Is "perfect" suitable for objective descriptions?

Yes, it can objectively describe the quality of a noun.

What synonyms are common for "perfectly"?

Flawlessly, ideally, precisely.

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Author Spotlight

Written by

Urooj Arif

Urooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.

Edited by

Tayyaba Rehman

Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.