performance
performance — noun
1. the level of success shown when a person, team, or machine does a job or works i
the level of success shown when a person, team, or machine does a job or works in a particular situation
Ella's performance in the maths test surprised her worried parents.
performance in + test
The washing machine's performance improved after Dad cleaned the filter.
machine performance
Phone performance got worse when too many apps were open.
phone performance
Judges praised the team's performance under pressure in the final.
performance under pressure
Better battery performance let Mia film the whole parade.
battery performance
- strong performance
- poor performance
- performance in maths
- engine performance
- results
focuses on the outcome rather than the overall standard of how something worked
- functioning
used especially for machines, systems, and technical processes
- efficiency
stresses working well with little waste of time or energy
- output
often refers to the amount produced, not the whole quality of the work
- failure
a stronger opposite, suggesting a complete lack of success
Grammar Patterns
performance in [activity]
improve performance
machine performance
Usage Note
Common with in for tests, games, and jobs, and with nouns like engine, phone, or battery. Distinguish from sense 5: this sense is about quality or results, not the carrying out of a duty itself.
2. a show presented for people watching, especially with music, acting, or dance, o
a show presented for people watching, especially with music, acting, or dance, or the quality of one performer in it
We watched a street performance outside Taipei Main Station.
street performance
Nora gave a piano performance at her grandmother's birthday dinner.
give a performance
Even after one missed line, the lead actor's performance drew loud applause.
actor's performance
Rain delayed the evening performance until eight thirty.
evening performance
Tonight's performance was cancelled after a power cut backstage.
passive: performance was cancelled
- live performance
- opening performance
- dance performance
- give a performance
- show
the broad everyday word for entertainment presented to an audience
- act
often means one short routine or one performer's part of a larger show
- concert
used specifically for a music performance
- production
often suggests a full staged work with direction, design, and cast
Grammar Patterns
give a performance
watch a performance
the evening performance
Usage Note
This sense can name the whole event or one person's work in it. Distinguish from sense 1: with theatres, actors, music, or audiences, performance is artistic rather than about efficiency.
3. more trouble, effort, or noisy fuss than a simple thing should involve
more trouble, effort, or noisy fuss than a simple thing should involve
Packing one small overnight bag became such a performance for Ivy.
such a performance
What a performance over one missing spoon before the children left.
What a performance
Changing one hall light bulb became a real performance on that ladder.
a real performance
The costume looked great, but it was a bit of a performance to wash.
a bit of a performance
Even simple online forms become a performance once Uncle Ray forgets his password.
become a performance
- such a performance
- a real performance
- a bit of a performance
Grammar Patterns
such a performance
a real performance
a bit of a performance
Usage Note
Often used after such a, a real, or a bit of a. The tone is usually critical, suggesting that a small job or small problem has turned into more fuss than necessary.
Common Mistakes
4. another occurrence of the same event, especially an unwanted one
another occurrence of the same event, especially an unwanted one
Teachers feared a repeat performance of last winter's snowball fight.
repeat performance of + event
The mayor promised no repeat performance of the traffic chaos after midnight.
no repeat performance
Fans hoped for a repeat performance of Sunday's late comeback.
positive repeat performance
After the leaking roof, shop owners wanted no repeat performance of that mess.
repeat performance of that mess
- repeat performance
- repeat performance of last year's trouble
- repeat
broader and more neutral, with much wider everyday use
- recurrence
more formal and common for problems, symptoms, or difficult situations
- rerun
mainly used for repeated TV programmes or repeated screenings
Grammar Patterns
repeat performance of + event
Usage Note
Most often seen in the phrase repeat performance, usually with of and a known earlier event. It is much rarer than repeat or recurrence in modern everyday English.
5. the completion of duties, tasks, or agreements, especially in formal writing
the completion of duties, tasks, or agreements, especially in formal writing
The job includes daily performance of safety checks before opening time.
performance of + task
Late brick delivery prevented performance of the building contract that month.
performance of a contract
During the performance of her duties, Officer Lin stayed by the gate.
during the performance of duties
The lease sets rules for performance of repairs inside the old temple.
performance of repairs
Careful performance of each step kept the lab workers safe.
careful performance of each step
- performance of duties
- performance of a contract
- performance of safety checks
- execution
formal and often used for carrying out a plan, order, or duty
- fulfillment
stresses meeting a promise, requirement, or condition
- discharge
formal and especially common with official duties or obligations
- neglect
suggests a failure to carry out the duty or task that is required
Grammar Patterns
performance of duties
performance of a contract
during the performance of
Usage Note
Common in formal writing, especially with duties, tasks, obligations, or contract. Distinguish from sense 1: here performance means the actual carrying out, not how good the result was.
Common Mistakes
Word family
- performverbB1
- performernounB1
- performingadjectiveB2
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/2
For sense 2, performance is a broad word for entertainment presented to an audience, and it can also mean how well one performer did in that event. Show is the most general everyday choice and can cover almost any public entertainment. Act is narrower: it often means one short routine by one person or group inside a larger show. Concert is specific to music. Production usually suggests a full staged work with direction, costumes, lighting, and a cast. You can watch a street performance in a station square, attend a school concert, or praise an actor's performance in a new stage production.
Etymology
Performance was formed in English from perform and the noun ending -ance. Perform came through Anglo-French and Old French from a verb meaning to carry something through or complete it. That older idea helps explain why performance can mean both the act of doing something and the result, quality, or public show that comes from it.