perform
verb
per·form pər-ˈfȯrm 
pə-
performed; performing; performs
transitive verb
1
: to adhere to the terms of : fulfill
perform a contract
2
: carry out, do
3
a
: to do in a formal manner or according to prescribed ritual
b
: to give a rendition of : present
intransitive verb
1
: to carry out an action or pattern of behavior : act, function
2
: to give a performance : play
performability
pər-ˌfȯr-mə-ˈbi-lə-tē
noun pə-
performable
pər-ˈfȯr-mə-bəl
adjective pə-
performer
pər-ˈfȯr-mər
noun pə-
Synonyms
- accomplish
- achieve
- bring off
- carry off
- carry out
- commit
- compass
- do
- execute
- follow through (with)
- fulfill
- fulfil
- make
- negotiate
- perpetrate
- prosecute
- pull off
- put through
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The doctor had to perform surgery immediately. The magician performed some amazing tricks. The gymnasts performed their routines perfectly. You are required to perform 50 hours of community service. The band will be performing on the main stage. She's a wonderful singer who loves to perform before a live audience. The band will perform songs from their new album. The class performed the play for the school. See More
Recent Examples on the Web If the monarch is still a child when succeeding to the throne, a regent is appointed to perform the royal functions until the monarch turns 18. 
Morgan Winsor, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2022 Experts had thought humans lacked the expertise to perform difficult procedures like amputation until the emergence of agriculture and permanent settlements transformed human society within the last 10,000 years. Katie Hunt, CNN, 7 Sep. 2022 Unlike the previous droppers, neither relied on gaining accessibility permissions to perform the installation of the malware. Jacob Siegal, BGR, 7 Sep. 2022 Tegan and Sara will discuss the show and perform a song from their upcoming album, Crybaby, tonight (Sept. 7) on NBC’s Late Night With Seth Meyers. Jonathan Cohen, SPIN, 7 Sep. 2022 To perform a successful operation, prehistoric surgeons must have had knowledge of anatomy. Brian Handwerk, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Sep. 2022 The consensus among medical experts is that humans lacked the skills and technology to perform difficult surgical procedures such as amputation until people began farming and living in permanent settlements over the past 10,000 years. Rachel Pannett, Washington Post, 7 Sep. 2022 Aurora Sinai was the first hospital in the state to buy the technology so doctors can perform the procedure routinely. Devi Shastri, Journal Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2022 Everyone from Reba McEntire to Jason Aldean to P!nk to Ariana Grande has paired up with Clarkson to perform beloved songs from her catalog, original material and classics by other artists. Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 30 Aug. 2022 See More
Morgan Winsor, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2022 Experts had thought humans lacked the expertise to perform difficult procedures like amputation until the emergence of agriculture and permanent settlements transformed human society within the last 10,000 years. Katie Hunt, CNN, 7 Sep. 2022 Unlike the previous droppers, neither relied on gaining accessibility permissions to perform the installation of the malware. Jacob Siegal, BGR, 7 Sep. 2022 Tegan and Sara will discuss the show and perform a song from their upcoming album, Crybaby, tonight (Sept. 7) on NBC’s Late Night With Seth Meyers. Jonathan Cohen, SPIN, 7 Sep. 2022 To perform a successful operation, prehistoric surgeons must have had knowledge of anatomy. Brian Handwerk, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Sep. 2022 The consensus among medical experts is that humans lacked the skills and technology to perform difficult surgical procedures such as amputation until people began farming and living in permanent settlements over the past 10,000 years. Rachel Pannett, Washington Post, 7 Sep. 2022 Aurora Sinai was the first hospital in the state to buy the technology so doctors can perform the procedure routinely. Devi Shastri, Journal Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2022 Everyone from Reba McEntire to Jason Aldean to P!nk to Ariana Grande has paired up with Clarkson to perform beloved songs from her catalog, original material and classics by other artists. Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 30 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French parfurmer, alteration of perforner, parfurnir, from par-, per- thoroughly (from Latin per-) + furnir to complete — more at furnish
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Phrases Containing perform
Kids Definition
perform
verb
per·form pər-ˈfȯrm
performed; performing
1
: to carry out : do
Anyone can perform this task.
2
: to do something needing special skill
The doctor had to perform surgery.
3
: to give a public presentation for entertainment
Legal Definition
perform
transitive verb
per·form
1
: to adhere to and fulfill the terms of
perform an obligation
2
: to carry out or bring about
perform the work according to design
3
: to do according to prescribed ritual or law
perform a marriage ceremony
4
: to give a public rendition or presentation of
perform a copyrighted play
intransitive verb
1
: to adhere to and fulfill the terms of a contract, promise, or obligation
failed to perform under the agreement
2
: to carry out or present something
performed
verb
1
as in executed
to carry through (as a process) to completion she performed the task quickly and expertly Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- executed
- accomplished
- achieved
- fulfilled
- did
- made
- implemented
- completed
- perpetrated
- carried out
- prosecuted
- committed
- negotiated
- brought off
- carried off
- pulled off
- finished
- put through
- went through
- practiced
- realized
- effected
- effectuated
- attained
- brought about
- compassed
- repeated
- aced
- reenacted
- practised
- followed through (with)
- nailed
- ended
- actualized
- worked (at)
- reduplicated
- engaged (in)
- wound up
- winded up
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- failed
- slighted
- slurred
- skimped
2
as in acted
to have a certain purpose the kidneys perform as a filtering system for the blood Synonyms & Similar Words
- acted
- served
- functioned
- worked
- operated
- wrought
- handled
- administered
- controlled
- directed
- managed
- supervised
- run
- regulated
- ran
- guided
- carried on
- oversaw
3
as in played
to present a portrayal or performance of has always dreamed of performing Hamlet on stage Synonyms & Similar Words
- played
- portrayed
- interpreted
- depicted
- represented
- acted
- did
- impersonated
- rendered
- enacted
- dramatized
- mimicked
- acted out
- pantomimed
- masqueraded
- mimed
- playacted
- imitated
- underplayed
- overplayed
- took on
- role-played
- clowned
- hammed
- overacted
- aped
- co-acted
- costarred
- co-starred
- posed (as)
- coacted
- starred (in)
4
as in worked
to produce a desired effect the new medication performed surprisingly well Synonyms & Similar Words
- worked
- operated
- acted
- wrought
- took
- reacted
- responded
- resulted
- behaved
- took hold
- took effect
- affected
- influenced
- swayed
- redounded
- panned out
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- backfired
- fizzled