perfectibility

C2 Topic:Abstract Ideas

US /pɚˌfɛktəˈbɪləti/ UK /pəˌfektəˈbɪləti/ See IPA manual

Freq #305604

Meanings

1

noun
the capacity to improve progressively, especially toward moral, intellectual, or social excellence

The reformer defended the perfectibility of human institutions through education.
2

noun
the doctrine or belief that human beings or society can be improved indefinitely

Enlightenment faith in perfectibility shaped the philosopher's program of universal education.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · the capacity to improve... improvabilitycapacity for improvement

2 noun · the doctrine or belief that... belief in progressperfectibilism

Opposites

incorrigibilityimperfectibility

Word family

Derived forms perfectibilistperfectibilism

Related forms perfectibleperfection progress

Etymology

Borrowed from French perfectibilite, formed from perfectible + -ite ('-ity'). In Enlightenment thought it became a technical name for the human capacity, or supposed capacity, for indefinite moral and social improvement.

Topics

Abstract Ideas Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# perfectibility

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /pɚˌfɛktəˈbɪləti/
**IPA (UK):** /pəˌfektəˈbɪləti/
**Frequency rank:** 305604

## Meanings
1. the capacity to improve progressively, especially toward moral, intellectual, or social excellence
2. the doctrine or belief that human beings or society can be improved indefinitely

## Examples
- The reformer defended the perfectibility of human institutions through education.
- Enlightenment faith in perfectibility shaped the philosopher's program of universal education.

## Synonyms
- improvability
- capacity for improvement
- belief in progress

## Antonyms
- incorrigibility
- imperfectibility

## Derived Forms
- perfectibilist
- perfectibilism

## Related Forms
- perfectible
- perfection
- progress

## Etymology
Borrowed from French perfectibilite, formed from perfectible + -ite ('-ity'). In Enlightenment thought it became a technical name for the human capacity, or supposed capacity, for indefinite moral and social improvement.

## Topics
- Abstract Ideas
- Word Formation & Derivatives

markdown