perfectly

adverb

per·​fect·​ly ˈpər-fik(t)-lē How to pronounce perfectly (audio)
1
: in a perfect manner
2
: to a complete or adequate extent : quite
was perfectly happy until now

Examples of perfectly in a Sentence

The steak was perfectly cooked. you did that handspring perfectly on your first try
Recent Examples on the Web Delightfully creamy and perfectly chunky, this egg salad balances richness and tang with flecks of green onion and celery in every bite. Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 21 Mar. 2024 The original score by Scottish rock band Mogwai perfectly complements the action on the field. Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 21 Mar. 2024 Dua Lipa, who has recently started experimenting with red tones, perfectly captures the latest take on the trend: burgundy brunette. Catherine Santino, Peoplemag, 20 Mar. 2024 Draped in an oversized church hat, perfectly paired with shoes that echo the nuance of the ensemble, the church has long been hailed as the premiere runway of Black culture. Cordell Jones, Essence, 20 Mar. 2024 Teen brains are perfectly capable The 1920s were boom times for leisure. Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 19 Mar. 2024 Budget airline Ryanair’s CEO says his $109 million salary is perfectly justifiable. Susan Howson, Quartz, 19 Mar. 2024 All reliably lean on French dessert classics—arguably the best part of any bistro meal—and include perfectly light crêpes suzette, profiteroles, crème caramel made with Muscat, and a few Francophile-friendly cheese plates. Sarah James, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Mar. 2024 Constructed with high-quality wood in pretty pastel hues, this table set is perfectly sized for toddlers, promoting independence and adding charm to any play space. Samantha McIntyre, Parents, 9 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'perfectly.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of perfectly was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near perfectly

Cite this Entry

“Perfectly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perfectly. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

perfectly

adverb
per·​fect·​ly ˈpər-fik-(t)lē How to pronounce perfectly (audio)
1
: in a perfect manner
understand perfectly
2
: quite sense 1, altogether
I was perfectly willing

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