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Meaning of perform in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Verb
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions
  1. Pronunciation

    /pərˈfɔrm/

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  1. Verb

    perform

    Etymology

    Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French parfourmer, alteration (by association with forme‘form’) of Old French parfournir, from par‘through, to completion’ + fournir‘furnish, provide’

    Definitions

    1. carry out or perform an action

    Examples

    • « John did the painting, the weeding, and he cleaned out the gutters »
    • « the skater executed a triple pirouette »
    • « she did a little dance »

    Derived terms

    • actor
    • carrying into action
    • carrying out
    • doer
    • executant
    • execution
    • performance
    • worker
  2. 2. perform a function

    Examples

    • « Who will perform the wedding? »
  3. 3. give a performance (of something)

    Examples

    • « Horowitz is performing at Carnegie Hall tonight »
    • « We performed a popular Gilbert and Sullivan opera »

    Derived terms

    • acting
    • performance
    • performer
    • performing
    • performing artist
    • playacting
    • playing
    • public presentation
  4. 4. get (something) done

    Examples

    • « I did my job »

    Derived terms

    • actor
    • doer
    • worker

Famous quotes

  • « I had a lot of trouble with engineers, because their whole background is learning from a functional point of view, and then learning how to perform that function. »
    Brian Eno
  • « We all know that girls who compete in sports perform better in school, are physically healthier and have a stronger self-esteem. »
    Louise Slaughter
  • « I was starting to become impotent through this diet and couldn't perform. How many people who are taking the little blue pill, if they started to change what they are eating most of the time, could change the way their sex life is? »
    Morgan Spurlock
  • « Watching Bernadette Peters perform is like an acting class. She's amazing. »
    Jenna Ushkowitz
  • « Practice means to perform, over and over again in the face of all obstacles, some act of vision, of faith, of desire. Practice is a means of inviting the perfection desired. »
    Martha Graham

Browse dictionary

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  • performance bond
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  • performer
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