perfectible

adjective

per·​fect·​ible pər-ˈfek-tə-bəl How to pronounce perfectible (audio)
 also  ˈpər-fik-
: capable of improvement or perfection (as in moral state)
perfectibility
pər-ˌfek-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce perfectible (audio)
 also  ˌpər-fik-
noun

Examples of perfectible in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Winnicott pushed back strongly against the idea that children require perfection from their parents, or that children should be perfectible. Elliot Haspel, The Atlantic, 10 May 2022 Philosophers such as Rousseau, whose worldview inspired many progressives, believed that human nature is highly malleable, even perfectible, so long as the right corrections are made to the social structure. Nate Hochman, National Review, 16 July 2019 Young people appear to have internalized irrational social ideals of the perfectible self that, while unrealistic, are to them eminently desirable and obtainable. Lizzie Plaugic, The Verge, 6 Apr. 2018 Jefferson instead embraced an Enlightenment creed that regarded humanity as potentially perfectible if freed from too much government. Alan Taylor, WSJ, 20 Oct. 2017 Cigarette rolling is a mini-craft project unto itself, repeatable and perfectible. John Sherman, Longreads, 15 Sep. 2017 Since real people are far from perfectible, they must be forced to assume their places in Utopia. Kevin Passmore, Slate Magazine, 20 Jan. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'perfectible.' 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

1635, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of perfectible was in 1635

Dictionary Entries Near perfectible

Cite this Entry

“Perfectible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perfectible. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

perfectible

adjective
per·​fect·​ible pər-ˈfek-tə-bəl How to pronounce perfectible (audio)
 also  ˈpər-fik-
: capable of improvement or perfection
perfectibility
pər-ˌfek-tə-ˈbil-ət-ē How to pronounce perfectible (audio)
 also  ˌpər-fik-
noun
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