Library / English Dictionary

IMPERFECTLY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (adverb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

In an imperfect or faulty way

Example:

Miss Bennet would not play at all amiss if she practiced more

Synonyms:

amiss; imperfectly

Classified under:

Adverbs

Antonym:

perfectly (in a perfect or faultless way)

Pertainym:

imperfect (not perfect; defective or inadequate)

Credits

 Context examples: 

Elinor placed all that was astonishing in this way of acting to his mother's account; and it was happy for her that he had a mother whose character was so imperfectly known to her, as to be the general excuse for every thing strange on the part of her son.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

I have tried to resign myself, and to console myself; and that, I hope, I may have done imperfectly; but what I cannot firmly settle in my mind is, that the end will absolutely come.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

He had communicated it to no creature: he had not breathed a syllable of it even to Mary; while uncertain of the issue, he could not have borne any participation of his feelings, but this had been his business; and he spoke with such a glow of what his solicitude had been, and used such strong expressions, was so abounding in the deepest interest, in twofold motives, in views and wishes more than could be told, that Fanny could not have remained insensible of his drift, had she been able to attend; but her heart was so full and her senses still so astonished, that she could listen but imperfectly even to what he told her of William, and saying only when he paused, How kind! how very kind!

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

There are some dreams that can only be imperfectly and vaguely described; and when I oblige myself to look back on this time of my life, I seem to be recalling such a dream.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)