imperfect
word
Definition
Not perfect; having mistakes, flaws, or something missing. Can also be used in grammar as a verb tense to talk about ongoing or repeated past actions.
Usage & Nuances
Used both in everyday description ('imperfect solution') and grammar discussion. 'Imperfect' describes something that could be better, not completely wrong. In Latin languages, 'imperfect' is also a verb tense, but in English, it's mainly an adjective.
Spanish: imperfecto - no perfectoPortuguese (BR): imperfeito - não perfeitoPortuguese (PT): imperfeito - não perfeitoChinese (Simplified): 不完美的Chinese (Traditional): 不完美的Hindi: अपूर्ण - असिद्धArabic: غير كامل - ناقصBengali: অপূর্ণ - ত্রুটিপূর্ণRussian: несовершенныйJapanese: 不完全な - 不完全（ふかんぜん）Vietnamese: không hoàn hảoKorean: 불완전한 - 결점 있는Turkish: kusurlu - eksik - mükemmel olmayanUrdu: نامکمل - ناقصIndonesian: tidak sempurna - cacat
Example Sentences
The diamond has an imperfect shape.
basic
My drawing is a little imperfect.
basic
Nobody is imperfect; we all have flaws.
basic
The cake tasted great, even though it looked a bit imperfect.
natural
Our plan is still imperfect, but we’ll work on the details.
natural
"No one’s life is imperfect," she said, "we’re all just learning."
natural