Standard Lemma guide

perfectibility

noun · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

The possibility of achieving perfection.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Examples

  • In a project involving many people, maintainability is a more useful asset than perfectibility.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

Perfectionism.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Topics: human-sciences, philosophy, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

the capability of becoming perfect

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • he believes in the ultimate perfectibility of man

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: imperfectibility

Broader terms: capability, capableness, potentiality

History

Etymology

From perfect + -ibility.

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • French: perfectibilité — the possibility of achieving perfection
  • German: Vervollkommnungsfähigkeit — the possibility of achieving perfection
  • German: Perfektibilität — the possibility of achieving perfection
  • Italian: perfezionabilità — the possibility of achieving perfection
  • Romanian: perfectibilitate — the possibility of achieving perfection