performed

performed — verb

1. To do a task, job, or action that someone is responsible for finishing.

1.verbtransitiveA2
Definition

To do a task, job, or action that someone is responsible for finishing.

Example

The surgeon performed the operation with great care and attention.

perform + operation (medical context)

Jude performed every task his manager assigned before the deadline.

perform + task / assigned by manager

Common collocations
  • perform a task
  • perform an operation
  • perform a job
  • perform a function
  • perform an action
Synonyms
  • do

    more general and less formal; 'do' is the everyday alternative for almost any action

  • carry out

    emphasises completing a plan or order; common in workplace and military contexts

  • execute

    more formal than 'perform'; suggests carrying out a carefully planned procedure with precision

Antonyms
  • neglect

    to fail to do something that should be done

  • avoid

    to stay away from doing a required task

Grammar Patterns

perform + noun phrase (task, job, operation, duty, function)

Usage Note

This is the broadest sense of 'perform', covering any type of work or action. Unlike sense 4 (CEREMONIAL DUTY), the action here does not have to be formal or traditional.

Common Mistakes

I performed my homework before dinner.
I did my homework before dinner.
'perform' sounds too formal for everyday personal tasks like homework; use 'do' instead.

2. To work or run in a particular way, especially when judged by how well a machine

2.verbintransitiveB1
Definition

To work or run in a particular way, especially when judged by how well a machine, system, or person functions.

Example

The old engine still performed well even after fifteen years of daily use.

perform + adverb (well) — machine/equipment subject

Amihan's laptop performed poorly after she installed too many programmes.

Common collocations
  • perform well
  • perform poorly
  • perform reliably
  • perform better
  • perform badly
Synonyms
  • function

    emphasises working properly or as designed; slightly more technical than 'perform'

  • run

    informal; commonly used for machines and software

  • work

    the simplest everyday alternative; 'the engine works well'

Antonyms
  • fail

    to stop working properly or break down

  • malfunction

    to function incorrectly; more technical

Grammar Patterns

perform + adverb (well, poorly, satisfactorily)

perform + in/under + conditions

Usage Note

In this sense 'perform' is always intransitive. The subject is typically a machine, device, system, or organisation — not a person doing a task. A personal subject changes the meaning back to sense 1 (DO / CARRY OUT).

Common Mistakes

The computer performed the calculation quickly.' (if you meant it ran well).
The computer performed well during the test.
When you mean a machine functions in a certain way, use an adverb directly after 'perform'; do not add a direct object.

3. To dance, sing, act, or play music in front of an audience as a form of entertai

3.verbtransitive / intransitiveA2
Definition

To dance, sing, act, or play music in front of an audience as a form of entertainment.

Example

Tara performed a traditional dance at the school festival last Friday.

perform + traditional dance + at [event]

The band performed three new songs at the concert hall in Taipei.

Common collocations
  • perform a song
  • perform a dance
  • perform a role
  • perform on stage
  • perform live
  • perform for an audience
Synonyms
  • act

    specifically about performing in a play, film, or show

  • play

    used when performing music on an instrument

  • present

    more formal; used for showcasing a performance to an audience

Antonyms
  • watch

    to be in the audience rather than on stage

Grammar Patterns

perform + noun phrase (song, dance, play, role)

perform + on/at/in (location)

perform + for (audience)

Usage Note

When used intransitively ('the singer performed well'), the meaning overlaps with sense 2 (FUNCTION / OPERATE) in a performance-evaluation context. The presence of an audience or stage setting distinguishes this sense from the other three.

Common Mistakes

She performed a speech at the meeting.
She gave a speech at the meeting.
A speech is not a piece of entertainment; use 'give a speech' or 'deliver a speech' instead of 'perform'.

4. To carry out a duty or action that is required by law, tradition, religion, or s

4.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

To carry out a duty or action that is required by law, tradition, religion, or social custom.

Example

The priest performed the wedding ceremony in a small village church.

perform + wedding ceremony (religious/formal context)

Mateo performed his duty as a witness and signed the legal documents.

Common collocations
  • perform a ceremony
  • perform a ritual
  • perform a duty
  • perform a rite
  • perform a marriage
  • perform an oath
Synonyms
  • conduct

    common for ceremonies, meetings, and official proceedings; similar formality to 'perform'

  • fulfil

    emphasises meeting an obligation or duty

  • carry out

    neutral alternative that works for both formal and informal duties

Antonyms
  • breach

    to fail to carry out a legal or formal duty

  • omit

    to leave out a required step in a ceremony or procedure

Grammar Patterns

perform + noun phrase (ceremony, ritual, rite, marriage, oath)

Usage Note

This is the most formal sense. The subject is typically a person in an official role (judge, priest, official, doctor). Unlike sense 1 (DO / CARRY OUT), the action here is governed by ritual, law, or tradition — not just any task.

Common Mistakes

The nurse performed the patient's temperature check.
The nurse took the patient's temperature.
'perform' is too formal for routine medical checks; reserve it for formal or ceremonial procedures.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four words describe completing an action, but they differ in formality and scope. 'Do' is the most general and everyday word — you can do homework, do dishes, or do a job. 'Perform' adds a sense of responsibility or structured effort, making it more formal than 'do' but less technical than 'execute'. 'Carry out' emphasises following a plan, order, or instruction; it is common in workplace, military, and research contexts ('carry out an experiment'). 'Execute' is the most formal and precise, suggesting a carefully planned procedure carried out with skill — often used in legal (execute a will), technical (execute a command), or military (execute a mission) settings. 'Accomplish' shifts the focus to successful completion and achievement: you accomplish a goal, not just a task. Example: 'The team did the research, carried out the interviews, performed the analysis, executed the statistical tests, and accomplished their goal of publishing the paper.'

do ↗carry out ↗execute ↗accomplish ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • perform the role of
  • perform a function
  • perform at one's best

Prepositions

Etymology

Anglo-FrenchMiddle EnglishModern English

The word 'perform' entered English in the 1300s from Anglo-French 'performer', which blended 'par-' (thoroughly) and 'fournir' (to furnish or provide). The original meaning was 'to carry out thoroughly or completely'. The modern spelling was influenced by the unrelated English word 'form'. By the 1400s, 'perform' was already used for both completing work (sense 1) and presenting entertainment (sense 3).