How to pronounce perfection
Say it like per-FEK-shun. Perfection has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FEK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce perfection. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- per
- FEK
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Perfection pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- perKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- FEKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of perfection
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: puh-FEK-shun.
What does perfection mean?
- the state of being without a flaw or defect
- an ideal instance; a perfect embodiment of a concept
- the act of making something perfect
Where does perfection come from?
From Middle English perfeccioun, from Old French perfection, from Latin perfectiō.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with perfection
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of perfection.
Questions about saying perfection
How do you pronounce perfection?
Say per-FEK-shun. The American pronunciation is /pɚˈfɛkʃən/. In British English it is /pəˈfɛkʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in perfection?
Perfection has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FEK). Broken into parts: per · FEK · shun.
Is perfection 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 /pəˈfɛkʃən/ (puh-FEK-shun).