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imperfect Definition

im·per·fect (im pʉr′fikt)

adjective

  1. not finished or complete; lacking in something
  2. not perfect; having a defect, fault, or error
  3. Gram. in certain inflected languages, designating or of the tense of a verb that indicates a past action or state as uncompleted, continuous, customary, or going on at the same time as another: “was writing” and “used to write” are English forms corresponding to the imperfect tense in such languages
  4. Music designating an interval of a major or minor third or sixth

Etymology: ME inperfit < OFr imparfit < L imperfectus: see in- & perfect

noun

  1. the imperfect tense
  2. a verb in this tense

imperfect Related Forms

im·per′·fectly adverb im·per′·fect·ness noun

imperfect Synonyms

imperfect

modif.

flawed, defective, incomplete, deficient; see damaged 2, faulty.

imperfect Usage Examples

Preposition: at

end: It contains the Pentateuch, written in book form ( not as a roll ), and is imperfect at the end.

Adjective modifier

past: PAST IMPERFECT is the first anthology using graphics and other forms of media to reflect the moving personal and spiritual journey of its author.

Modifies a noun

  • subjunctive: Apparently, you don't use the imperfect subjunctive in day-to-day conversation.
  • recollection: When I arrived in the country I had an imperfect recollection of the events of the 1980s.
  • analogy: Although this is an imperfect analogy, it may help us imagine a system of nodes in space-time, and their interaction.
  • tense: They are completely engaged as they explain the differences between the perfect and imperfect tenses.
  • sketch: Such is but a brief and imperfect sketch of the eloquent words that fall from the lips of this gifted woman.
  • competition: They like the deal that imperfect competition has brought about.

Modifying Another Word

  • however: Without knowledge - however imperfect - we have little or no chance of designing new ways forward.
  • tho: I hope that my manner, tho imperfect, may have been of some little service along the way.
  • slightly: You saw the same thing with Owen too: not even bothering to chase slightly imperfect balls.
  • very: For many years the work was carried on in a very imperfect manner.
  • highly: The tools used for screening for this disease, however, are highly imperfect.
  • still: So it has taken months to set up a - still imperfect - structure to get the ball rolling.

Used with adjective complement

  • remain: However, it might be argued that markets may tend toward equilibrium, but remain imperfect at any given point time.
  • consider: It is the " hwyl, " without which Welsh oratory is considered imperfect.
  • appear: His visit afforded her but a very partial satisfaction, while his own enjoyment in it appeared so imperfect.
  • seem: The chorus / climax is irresistible anyway - Verlaine crooning - " I understand destructive urges / They seem so imperfect.
  • become: However, it seems that what we have today is an imperfect peace which is getting worse; it is becoming more imperfect.

Preposition: in

way: Both these types of verb form there imperfect in the same way.