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perform definition

per·form (pər fôrm′)

transitive verb

  1. to act on so as to accomplish or bring to completion; execute; carry out (a task, process, etc.)
  2. to carry out; meet the requirements of; fulfill (a promise, command, etc.)
  3. to give a performance of; render or enact (a piece of music, a dramatic role, etc.)

Etymology: ME performen < Anglo-Fr parformer, altered (infl. by forme, form) < OFr parfournir, to perform, consummate < par (< L per-, intens.) + fornir, to accomplish, furnish

intransitive verb

to carry out or execute an action or process; esp., to take part in a musical program, act in a play, dance, etc. before an audience

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

perform Synonyms

perform

v.

  1. To accomplish an action

    do, make, achieve, accomplish, fulfill, execute, transact, carry out, carry off, carry through, discharge, effect, enforce, administer, complete, consummate, carry on, conduct, act, operate, function, work, finish, realize, implement, go about, go through with, discharge the duties of, put through, work out, devote oneself to, come through with, be engaged in, see to, bring off, bring about, engage in, concern oneself with, have effect, fall to, do justice to, do one's part, give oneself up to, make a move, put in motion, put in force, follow through, apply oneself to, put across, deal with, carry into execution, take care of, look to, take measures, acquit oneself, act on, make it one's business, dispose of, bring to pass, do what is expected of one, put into effect, occupy oneself with, take action, address oneself to, put in action, deliver, do one's stuff*, lift a finger*, keep one's hand in*, muddle through*, have free play*, go in for*, make short work of*, pull off; see also achieve 1, act 1, operate 2.

    Antonyms fail*, neglect*, ignore. *

  2. To present a performance

    give, present, enact, play, offer, impersonate, show, exhibit, display, act out, dramatize, execute, put on the stage, produce, rehearse, act the part of, tread the boards, put on an act, act one's part, go through one's repertoire, go through tricks; see also act 3.

  3. *To behave in a ludicrous manner

    clown, play the fool, show off; see joke, misbehave.

perform, sometimes a mere formal equivalent for do, is usually used of an involved, demanding, or established process to perform an experiment, to perform a marriage ceremony; execute implies the putting into effect or completing of something that has been planned or ordered to execute a law; accomplish implies success in carrying out a plan or purpose and may suggest effort and perseverance to accomplish a mission; achieve implies the overcoming of obstacles in accomplishing something of worth or importance to achieve a lasting peace; effect also suggests the conquering of difficulties but emphasizes what has been done to bring about the result his cure was effected by the use of a combination of drugs; fulfill implies the full realization of what is expected or demanded to fulfill a promise


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

perform Usage Examples

Object

  • task: Would be willing to perform some simple computer tasks.

Preposition: on

  • stage: Not only does she like performing on stage she also enjoys being in films.

Preposition: at

  • venue: Bands from across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire are performing at various venues in Ilkeston and Long Eaton.

Preposition: as

  • soloist: Joëlle has performed twice as the soloist for one of Making Music's North West Societies, the Wirral Symphony Orchestra.

Adjective complement

  • live: Performed live by Mike Pearson and Ed Thomas with a cast of 10 actors on film.

Used with why or when

  • whenever: This operation can optionally be performed automatically whenever a sequence is played.

Preposition: in

  • accordance: All duties will be performed in accordance with Company Standard Operating Procedures, ICH Guidelines and GCP.

Preposition: under

  • anesthetic: In addition, a very high number of abortions are performed under general anesthetic compared with other countries.
perform usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

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MLA Style

"perform." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/perform>

APA Style

perform. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/perform

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