Spanish word

perfeccionista

Pronunciation

IPA/peɾfekθjoˈnista/

Meaning

  • noun (m./f.)perfectionist

Example

Él es un perfeccionista.

He is a perfectionist.

Illustration for perfeccionista (perfectionist)

More examples

Su pareja aprendió a convivir con un perfeccionista.

His partner learned to live with a perfectionist.

Core concept

Person examining a small stitch through a magnifying glass.

Common phrases

  • ser perfeccionista

    be a perfectionist

  • un perfeccionista

    a perfectionist

Similar words

detallista: Notices and cares for small details to make a task look complete and neat.
obsesivo: Acts from strong preoccupations or anxieties that repeatedly influence choices.

Definition in Spanish

Persona que tiene estándares muy altos y presta mucha atención a los detalles, incluso si eso requiere más tiempo.

Word origin

Formed from perfección ('perfection') plus -ista in Spanish, with perfección from Latin perfectio (related to perficere 'to finish or perfect'), so -ista marks someone characterized by perfectionism.

Usage tips

  • In conversation the word can sound critical, and adding a phrase like con los detalles or en su trabajo frames it as carefulness rather than a fault.

Other meanings

  • perfectionisticadjective

Opposites

  • conformistaconformistnoun

Related words

Word lists with this word