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perfect

/ˈpɝ.fɪkt/
adjectivenounverb

PERFECT is a seven-letter word worth 14 Scrabble points, with one anagram: PREFECT.

NWL Collins ENABLE

Adjective 4 meanings

  1. Fitting its definition precisely.

    “a perfect circle”

  2. 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.”

  3. Without fault or mistake; without flaw, of supreme quality.

    “The gymnast performed a perfect somersault.”

  4. Excellent and delightful in all respects.

    “a perfect day”

Noun 2 meanings

  1. The perfect tense, or a form in that tense.

  2. A perfect score; the achievement of finishing a stage or task with no mistakes.

Verb 2 meanings

  1. To make perfect; to improve or hone.

    “I am going to perfect this article.”

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

    “perfect an appeal”

Definitions: Wiktionary (CC BY-SA) via Kaikki/Wiktextract

Where it comes from

Etymology

From Middle English perfit, from Old French parfit (modern: parfait), from Latin perfectus, perfect passive participle of perficere (“to finish”), from per- (“through, thorough”) + facere (“to do, to make”). The spelling was modified in the 15th century to conform to its Latin etymon.

Similar and opposite words

Similar
accurateflawlessmaturebisexualfaultlessinfalliblehermaphroditicpreterperfect
Opposite
flawedfaultyfaultfulfallibleimperfect

PERFECT is a familiar word with several distinct uses, from describing a flawless result to naming a verb for improving something. In word games, its seven tiles add up to 14 points before board bonuses. Its only anagram is PREFECT, and no word in its one-letter-neighbour set differs from it by just one letter.

PERFECT at a glance

  • PERFECT has seven letters and scores 14 points in Scrabble before any board bonuses.
  • The tile values are P 3, E 1, R 1, F 4, E 1, C 3 and T 1.
  • PREFECT is its sole anagram; it uses exactly the same letters.
  • There are no one-letter neighbours, though 12 listed words rhyme with its final sound.

What does PERFECT mean, and what is its Scrabble score?

PERFECT can refer to a flawless score or to finishing a stage or task without mistakes. It also works as a verb meaning to improve or hone something. A more specialized sense is to perfect a legal right by taking the required action, such as filing a document in the correct venue.

In Scrabble, the seven letter tiles total 14 points: the two 3-point tiles are P and C, while F is worth 4. The four remaining tiles are each worth 1. Premium squares change the score during play, but the tile sum stays the same.

What can you make from PERFECT?

PREFECT is the only anagram, so rearranging all seven letters produces a single alternative rather than a cluster of choices. The pair is easy to mix up under time pressure: PERFECT ends with “fect,” while PREFECT moves the R and changes the ending. Check the full letter rack before committing to either spelling.

PERFECT has no one-letter neighbours in the word list, meaning no listed word is formed by changing just one of its letters while keeping the others in place. Its rhymes include PROJECT, RESPECT, EFFECT and CORRECT, all sharing the “ect” ending. Those are sound matches, not anagrams; they use different letters and do not help solve a rack of PERFECT tiles.

Rhymes with perfect

All rhymes

Questions people ask

Is PERFECT a valid Scrabble word?
Yes, PERFECT is valid in Collins, NWL2023 and ENABLE. It can be used as a noun, verb or adjective depending on the meaning and sentence. Its seven tiles score 14 points before premiums, so remember to add any letter or word bonuses from the board.
What is the anagram of PERFECT?
PREFECT is the only anagram of PERFECT. Both words use P, R, F, C, T and two E tiles. PERFECT describes flawlessness or improvement in several senses, while PREFECT names a person with a supervisory role in some schools.
How many points is PERFECT worth in Scrabble?
PERFECT is worth 14 points from its letter tiles. P and C are worth 3 each, F is worth 4, and E, R, E and T are worth 1 each. Board premiums can raise the turn’s score, but they do not change the word’s base tile value.

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