perfeccionar
verbUpper-intermediate
What does “perfeccionar” mean in English?
to refine, to perfect
to refine, to perfect (perfeccionar + noun — improve iteratively toward an ideal quality)
Example sentences
El equipo dedicó meses a perfeccionar el prototipo antes de presentarlo a los inversores.
The team spent months refining the prototype before presenting it to investors.
Perfeccionar el acento requiere práctica constante con hablantes nativos.
Perfecting one's accent requires constant practice with native speakers.
How to use it
Perfeccionar means 'to refine', 'to perfect', or 'to hone'. Structure: perfeccionar + noun (a skill, technique, system). Implies iterative improvement toward an ideal. Common in academic, professional, and arts contexts. Near synonym mejorar focuses on incremental gain; perfeccionar implies approaching an ideal.
Common mistake
Perfeccionar (refine toward ideal) vs. mejorar (improve — any positive change). Use perfeccionar when the goal is near-ideal quality; use mejorar for any improvement however modest.
Topics
Related Upper-intermediate words
Reference
This entry’s teaching guidance follows Plan Curricular del Instituto Cervantes (Instituto Cervantes), B2 Funciones 6.44.