How to pronounce imperfect
Say it like im-PUR-fikt. Imperfect has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce imperfect. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- im
- PUR
- fikt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Imperfect pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- imGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- PURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- fiktKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of imperfect
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: im-PUR-fikt.
What does imperfect mean?
- Not perfect.
- Unisexual: having either male (with stamens) or female (with pistil) flowers, but not with both.
- Known or expected to be polyphyletic, as of a form taxon.
- Something having a minor flaw.
- A tense of verbs used in describing a past action that is incomplete or continuous.
- to make imperfect
Where does imperfect come from?
From Middle English imperfit, from Old French imparfit (modern French imparfait), from Latin imperfectus.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
- faultless
- infallible
- perfect
Questions about saying imperfect
How do you pronounce imperfect?
Say im-PUR-fikt. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪmˈpɝfɪkt/. In British English it is /ˌɪmˈpɜːfɪkt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in imperfect?
Imperfect has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PUR). Broken into parts: im · PUR · fikt.
Is imperfect pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˌɪmˈpɜːfɪkt/ (im-PUR-fikt).