perfectly

perfectly — adverb

1. so well that nothing seems wrong, missing, or out of place.

1.adverbB1
Definition

so well that nothing seems wrong, missing, or out of place.

Example

The tailor cut the wedding dress perfectly on the first try.

verb + perfectly for skilled action

This key fits the old front door perfectly.

common collocation: fit perfectly

Common collocations
  • fit perfectly
  • match perfectly
  • work perfectly
  • time perfectly
Synonyms
  • flawlessly

    stronger and more formal, stressing the complete absence of mistakes

  • exactly

    focuses more on precise agreement or the right amount

  • beautifully

    often praises style or appearance, not just correctness

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

verb + perfectly

fit / match / work + perfectly

Usage Note

Often used with verbs showing skill or exact suitability, such as 'fit', 'match', 'time', and 'work'. Distinguish from sense 2 (COMPLETELY SO): this sense describes how well an action or result is done, not just strong emphasis before an adjective.

Common Mistakes

The key was perfectly for this lock.
The key was perfect for this lock.' or ✅ 'The key fits this lock perfectly.
use the adjective after 'be', but the adverb with a verb.

2. used to add strong force, showing that something is fully true, acceptable, suit

2.adverbB2
Definition

used to add strong force, showing that something is fully true, acceptable, suitable, or clear.

Example

Feeling nervous before your first interview is perfectly normal.

perfectly + adjective

The soup is perfectly good, even without extra salt.

Common collocations
  • perfectly normal
  • perfectly clear
  • perfectly safe
  • perfectly fine
  • perfectly well
Synonyms
  • completely

    very close in meaning, often a little more neutral

  • entirely

    slightly more formal, common in careful writing

  • quite

    in British English, this can also soften or strengthen, depending on context

  • absolutely

    stronger and often used for emphasis in speech

Antonyms
  • partly

    only to some extent

  • somewhat

    to a limited degree, with weaker force

Grammar Patterns

perfectly + adjective

perfectly + adverb

perfectly well

Usage Note

Most often placed before adjectives such as 'normal', 'safe', 'clear', 'fine', and 'acceptable', or in the fixed phrase 'perfectly well'. Distinguish from sense 1 (WITHOUT FAULTS): here 'perfectly' does not praise quality; it simply strengthens the statement.

Common Mistakes

The room is perfect clean.
The room is perfectly clean.
use the adverb 'perfectly' before an adjective.
I perfectly can see the board.
I can see the board perfectly well.
this intensifying use usually comes before an adjective or in the phrase 'perfectly well'.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/2

For sense adverb/2, 'perfectly' works as an intensifier before adjectives and in phrases like 'perfectly well'. 'Completely' is the nearest everyday match and sounds neutral in most contexts. 'Entirely' is similar but slightly more formal, so it appears more often in careful writing than in casual chat. 'Absolutely' is stronger and more emotional, especially in speech: 'absolutely wonderful' sounds warmer than 'perfectly wonderful'. 'Quite' overlaps only part of the time, and in British English it can mean either 'fairly' or 'completely' depending on context, so learners need to listen carefully. Compare 'perfectly safe' with 'completely safe', 'entirely reasonable', and 'absolutely certain'.

completely ↗entirely ↗absolutely ↗quite ↗

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

'Perfectly' was built in Middle English by adding the adverb ending '-ly' to 'perfect'. The adjective came through French from Latin 'perfectus', meaning 'finished' or 'completed', from a verb meaning 'to complete'. That older idea of something being fully finished helps explain both modern senses: one about being without faults, and one about being completely so.