perfectionism

[ per-fek-shuh-niz-uh m ]
/ pərˈfɛk ʃəˌnɪz əm /

noun

any of various doctrines holding that religious, moral, social, or political perfection is attainable.
a personal standard, attitude, or philosophy that demands perfection and rejects anything less.

Origin of perfectionism

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40; perfection + -ism

Example sentences from the Web for perfectionism

British Dictionary definitions for perfectionism

perfectionism
/ (pəˈfɛkʃəˌnɪzəm) /

noun

philosophy the doctrine that man can attain perfection in this life
the demand for the highest standard of excellence

Medical definitions for perfectionism

perfectionism
[ pər-fĕkshə-nĭz′əm ]

n.

A tendency to set rigid high standards of personal performance.

Other words from perfectionism

per•fection•ist adj. n.