Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense performs, present participle performing, past tense, past participle performed
1. verb
When you perform a task or action, especially a complicated one, you do it.
We're looking for people of all ages who have performed outstanding acts of bravery. [VERB noun]
His council had to perform miracles on a tiny budget. [VERB noun]
Several grafts may be performed at one operation. [beVERB-ed]
Synonyms: do, achieve, carry out, effect More Synonyms of perform
2. verb
If something performs a particular function, it has that function.
A complex engine has many separate components, each performing a different function. [VERB noun]
3. verb
If you perform a play, a piece of music, or a dance, you do it in front of an audience.
Gardiner has pursued relentlessly high standards in performing classical music. [VERB noun]
This play was first performed in 411 BC. [beVERB-ed]
He began performing in the early fifties, singing and playing guitar. [VERB]
Synonyms: appear on stage, act More Synonyms of perform
4. verb
If someone or something performs well, they work well or achieve a good result. If they perform badly, they work badly or achieve a poor result.
He had not performed well in his exams. [VERB adverb]
England performed so well in the match at Wembley. [VERB adverb]
'State-owned industries will always perform poorly,' John Moore informed readers. [VERB adverb]
When there's snow and ice, how's this car going to perform? [VERB adverb]
More Synonyms of perform
perform in British English
(pəˈfɔːm)
verb
1.
to carry out or do (an action)
2. (transitive)
to fulfil or comply with
to perform someone's request
3.
to present or enact (a play, concert, etc) before or otherwise entertain an audience
the group performed Hamlet
4. (intransitive) informal
to accomplish sexual intercourse
he performed well
Derived forms
performable (perˈformable)
adjective
performability (perˌformaˈbility)
noun
performer (perˈformer)
noun
Word origin
C14: from Anglo-Norman perfourmer (influenced by formeform), from Old French parfournir, from par-per- + fournir to provide; see furnish
perform in American English
(pərˈfɔrm)
verb transitive
1.
to act on so as to accomplish or bring to completion; execute; carry out (a task, process, etc.)
2.
to carry out; meet the requirements of; fulfill (a promise, command, etc.)
3.
to give a performance of; render or enact (a piece of music, a dramatic role, etc.)
verb intransitive
4.
to carry out or execute an action or process; esp., to take part in a musical program, act in a play, dance, etc. before an audience
SYNONYMY NOTE: perform, often a mere formal equivalent for , do1, is usually used of a more or less involved process rather than a single act [to perform an experiment]; execute implies a putting into effect or completing that which has been planned or ordered[to execute a law]; accomplish suggests effort and perseverance in carrying out a plan or purpose [to accomplish a mission]; achieve implies the overcoming of obstacles in accomplishing something of worth or importance[to achieve a lasting peace]; effect also suggests the conquering of difficulties but emphasizes what has been done tobring about the result [his cure was effected by the use of certain drugs]; fulfill, in strict discrimination, implies the full realization of what is expected or demanded[to fulfill a promise]
Derived forms
performable (perˈformable)
adjective
performer (perˈformer)
noun
Word origin
ME performen < Anglo-Fr parformer, altered (infl. by forme, form) < OFr parfournir, to perform, consummate < par (< L per-, intens.) + fornir, to accomplish, furnish
Examples of 'perform' in a sentence
perform
These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content.Read more…
Some big cities are really badly performing.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Luck is building for a family that writes and performs music together.
The Sun (2016)
It can be no coincidence that such universities perform relatively badly in the national student surveys.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Luck builds for friends who adore performing music together.
The Sun (2016)
And you have the cool nerves and ability to recall facts that helps you to perform well in tests.
The Sun (2016)
We were performing well but just couldn't get the results.
The Sun (2016)
If they perform, they play.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The stories you tell or music you perform can find a wider, richer audience and bring a new career within reach.
The Sun (2016)
That is only right, given that incentives should be for playing and performing, rather than resting or watching.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
His return to the RSC after 23 years has brought him back to the last play he performed here.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
These funds have performed consistently badly over the past three years?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We also discover the impact of performing these plays.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Such feelings may be centred around an inability to perform well at games or in academic studies.
Aiken, Nick Working with Teenagers (1994)
Writing is a solitary business so getting to perform to audiences around the country is fun.
The Sun (2014)
When did you first get into writing and performing music?
The Sun (2007)
But he said the inspections had helped turn around the badly performing surgeries.
The Sun (2016)
This play could be performed in a foreign language and still be as powerful.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
He said that those stores already revamped were performing well.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
This can go all the way from running a business to performing for an audience.
The Sun (2012)
What about recordings of worship services in which copyrighted music is performed?
Christianity Today (2000)
That meant that we had a stock of plays that we performed.
Max Arthur Lost Voices of the Edwardians: 19011910 in the words of the Men & Women Who WereThere (2006)
She used to set her dolls up as an audience and perform shows for them.
The Sun (2011)
Those who studied music longer performed better in the tests.
The Sun (2013)
Put two pairs together so that each pair has an audience to perform to.
Bain, Roly Fools Rush In - A Call to Christian Clowning (1993)
The quest to perform baroque music just as it was continues.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
But when he performs one gets an idea of what might have been had he had more opportunities.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
This means that when one asset is performing badly the odds are that another will be doing well.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Many companies are performing very well and see the down turn as an opportunity as much as a challenge.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
It was one of the thrills of my life to have one of my plays performed in such a fine theatre.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
This is most spectacularly performed in one of the region's many tunnels.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Since then, fans have hoped all five would one day perform together again.
The Sun (2009)
They neglected to tell us just how badly England would perform.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
You are expected to go in and perform very well, quickly.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
No one dared to perform it for 15 years.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
He performed badly at school but held a number of jobs in his 20s.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
In other languages
perform
British English: perform /pəˈfɔːm/ VERB
When you perform a task or action, you complete it.
We need someone to perform her duties while she's away.
American English: perform
Arabic: يُؤَدِّي
Brazilian Portuguese: realizar
Chinese: 执行
Croatian: izvršavati
Czech: provést
Danish: udføre
Dutch: uitvoeren
European Spanish: actuar acción
Finnish: suorittaa
French: réaliser performance
German: durchführen
Greek: πραγματοποιώ
Italian: eseguire
Japanese: 行う
Korean: 수행하다
Norwegian: gjennomføre
Polish: wykonać
European Portuguese: realizar
Romanian: a efectua
Russian: выполнять
Latin American Spanish: actuar
Swedish: uppträda
Thai: ทำ
Turkish: yapmak
Ukrainian: виконувати
Vietnamese: thực hiện
Translate your text for free
All related terms of 'perform'
perform feats
If you refer to an action, or the result of an action, as a feat , you admire it because it is an impressive and difficult achievement .
perform a song
A song is words sung to a tune .
perform a task
A task is an activity or piece of work which you have to do, usually as part of a larger project.
perform an action
Action is doing something for a particular purpose.
perform a routine
A routine is a short sequence of jokes , remarks , actions, or movements that forms part of a longer performance.
perform a calculation
A calculation is something that you think about and work out mathematically. Calculation is the process of working something out mathematically.
perform an operation
An operation is a highly organized activity that involves many people doing different things.
underperform
(of a stock or share) to yield a lower return than (the market as a whole )
Chinese translation of 'perform'
perform
(pəˈfɔːm)
vt
[task]执(執)行 (zhíxíng)
[operation]施行 (shīxíng)
[ceremony]举(舉)行 (jǔxíng)
[piece of music, dance, play]表演 (biǎoyǎn)
vi
(= function)
[person, organization, business]表现(現) (biǎoxiàn)
[instrument, vehicle]运(運)转(轉) (yùnzhuǎn)
[actor, musician, singer, dancer]演出 (yǎnchū)
1 (verb)
Definition
to carry out (an action)
people who have performed outstanding acts of bravery
Synonyms
do
I was trying to do some work.
achieve
There are many who will work hard to achieve these goals.
carry out
effect
Prospects for effecting real political change have taken a step backward.
complete
He had just completed his first novel.
satisfy
The procedures should satisfy certain basic requirements.
observe
Forcing motorists to observe speed restrictions is difficult.
fulfil
He decided to fulfil his dream and go to college.
accomplish
If we all work together, I think we can accomplish our goal.
execute
bring about
pull off
act out
transact
This would free them to transact business across the state lines.
2 (verb)
Definition
to fulfil
Each part of the engine performs a different function.
Synonyms
fulfil
He is too ill to fulfil his duties.
carry out
execute
We are going to execute our campaign plan to the letter.
discharge
the quiet competence with which he discharged his many duties
3 (verb)
Definition
to present (a play or concert)
students performing Shakespeare's Macbeth
Synonyms
present
The theatre is presenting a new production of `Hamlet'.
act (out)
stage
She staged her first play at the Edinburgh Festival.
play
His ambition is to play the part of Dracula.
produce
I'm going to produce the show and write the scripts.
represent
put on
render
a powerful, bizarre, and beautifully rendered story
depict
Children's books often depict animals as gentle creatures.
enact
She enacted the stories told to her by her father.
appear as
4 (verb)
He began performing in the early fifties.
Synonyms
appear on stage
act
I have no reason to doubt that the bank acted properly.
5 (verb)
This car performs well.
Synonyms
function
The authorities say the prison is now functioning properly.
go
My car isn't going very well at the moment.
work
The pump doesn't work and we have no running water.
run
the staff who have kept the bank running
operate
The machine operates at a pace of just 2 miles per hour.
handle
One report said the aircraft would become difficult to handle.
respond
behave
Additional synonyms
in the sense of accomplish
Definition
to complete
If we all work together, I think we can accomplish our goal.
Synonyms
realize,
produce,
effect,
finish,
complete,
manage,
achieve,
perform,
carry out,
conclude,
fulfil,
execute,
bring about,
attain,
consummate,
bring off (informal),
do,
effectuate,
put the tin lid on
in the sense of achieve
Definition
to gain by hard work or effort
There are many who will work hard to achieve these goals.
Synonyms
accomplish,
reach,
fulfil,
finish,
complete,
gain,
perform,
earn,
do,
get,
win,
carry out,
realize,
obtain,
conclude,
acquire,
execute,
bring about,
attain,
consummate,
procure,
bring off (informal),
effectuate,
put the tin lid on
in the sense of act
Definition
to do something
I have no reason to doubt that the bank acted properly.
Synonyms
do something,
perform,
move,
function,
go about,
conduct yourself,
undertake something
Synonyms of 'perform'
perform
Explore 'perform' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of complete
Definition
to finish
He had just completed his first novel.
Synonyms
finish,
conclude,
fulfil,
accomplish,
do,
end,
close,
achieve,
perform,
settle,
realize,
execute,
discharge,
wrap up (informal),
terminate,
finalize
in the sense of depict
Definition
to describe in words
Children's books often depict animals as gentle creatures.
Synonyms
describe,
present,
represent,
detail,
outline,
sketch,
characterize
in the sense of discharge
Definition
to meet the demands of (a duty or responsibility)
the quiet competence with which he discharged his many duties
Synonyms
carry out,
perform,
fulfil,
accomplish,
do,
effect,
realize,
observe,
implement,
execute,
carry through
in the sense of effect
Definition
to cause (something) to take place
Prospects for effecting real political change have taken a step backward.
Synonyms
bring about,
make,
cause,
produce,
create,
complete,
achieve,
perform,
carry out,
fulfil,
accomplish,
execute,
initiate,
give rise to,
consummate,
actuate,
effectuate
in the sense of enact
Definition
to perform (a story or play) by acting
She enacted the stories told to her by her father.
Synonyms
perform,
play,
act,
present,
stage,
represent,
put on,
portray,
depict,
act out,
play the part of,
appear as or in,
personate
in the sense of execute
Definition
to produce or create (a work of art)
We are going to execute our campaign plan to the letter.
Synonyms
carry out,
effect,
finish,
complete,
achieve,
realize,
do,
implement,
fulfil,
enforce,
accomplish,
render,
discharge,
administer,
prosecute,
enact,
consummate,
put into effect,
bring off
in the sense of go
Definition
to operate or function
My car isn't going very well at the moment.
Synonyms
function,
work,
run,
move,
operate,
perform
in the sense of handle
Definition
to hold, move, operate, or touch with the hands
One report said the aircraft would become difficult to handle.
Synonyms
control,
manage,
direct,
operate,
guide,
use,
steer,
manipulate,
manoeuvre,
wield
in the sense of observe
Definition
to keep (a law or custom)
Forcing motorists to observe speed restrictions is difficult.
Synonyms
comply with,
keep,
follow,
mind,
respect,
perform,
carry out,
honour,
fulfil,
discharge,
obey,
heed,
conform to,
adhere to,
abide by
in the sense of operate
Definition
to work
The machine operates at a pace of just 2 miles per hour.
Synonyms
work,
go,
run,
perform,
function
Additional synonyms
in the sense of play
Definition
to act the part (of) in a dramatic piece
His ambition is to play the part of Dracula.
Synonyms
act,
portray,
represent,
perform,
impersonate,
act the part of,
take the part of,
personate
in the sense of produce
Definition
to present on stage, film, or television
I'm going to produce the show and write the scripts.
Synonyms
present,
stage,
direct,
put on,
do,
show,
mount,
exhibit,
put before the public
in the sense of render
Definition
to represent in painting, music, or acting
a powerful, bizarre, and beautifully rendered story
Synonyms
represent,
interpret,
portray,
depict,
do,
give,
play,
act,
present,
perform
in the sense of represent
Synonyms
portray,
show,
act,
produce,
stage,
perform,
put on,
exhibit,
enact,
appear as,
play the part of,
assume the role of
in the sense of run
Definition
to function or cause to function
the staff who have kept the bank running
Synonyms
go,
work,
operate,
perform,
function,
be in business,
be in action,
tick over
in the sense of satisfy
Definition
to provide sufficiently for (a need or desire)
The procedures should satisfy certain basic requirements.
Synonyms
comply with,
meet,
fulfil,
answer,
serve,
fill,
observe,
obey,
conform to,
measure up to,
match up to
in the sense of stage
Definition
to present (a dramatic production) on stage
She staged her first play at the Edinburgh Festival.
Synonyms
present,
produce,
perform,
put on,
do,
give,
play
in the sense of transact
Definition
to do, conduct, or negotiate (a business deal)
This would free them to transact business across the state lines.
Synonyms
carry out,
handle,
conduct,
do,
manage,
perform,
settle,
conclude,
negotiate,
carry on,
accomplish,
execute,
take care of,
discharge,
see to,
prosecute,
enact
in the sense of work
Definition
(of a machine or a piece of equipment) to function, esp. effectively
The pump doesn't work and we have no running water.