perform
UK /pəˈfɔːm/ · US /pɚˈfoɹm/ verb
Forms performs performing performed performest performedst performeth performe
- verb (transitive) To do (something); to execute. “The scientists performed several experiments.”
- verb (intransitive) To exhibit an expected pattern of behavior; to function; to work. “The new employee performs well.”
- verb (sexology, uncommon) Of a man, to be able to initiate or fulfill an act of sexual intercourse.
- verb (transitive) To act in accordance with (a contract); to fulfill one’s terms of (a contract). “Failure to perform a contract on time may constitute a breach of contract.”
- verb (intransitive) To fulfill contractually agreed-to terms. “They entered into an agreement and now they are obliged to perform.”
- verb (ambitransitive) To do (something) in front of an audience, such as acting or music, often in order to entertain. “She will perform in the play.”
- verb (by extension, transitive) To behave theatrically so as to give the impression of (a quality, character trait, etc.); to feign. “The accused only performed remorse.”
- verb (transitive) To behave in accordance with, and thereby in turn shape, (a social notion or role). “perform masculinity”
Synonyms
Etymology
From Middle English parformen, performen (“to perform”), from Anglo-Norman performer, parfourmer, alteration of Old French parfornir, parfurnir (“to complete, accomplish, perform”), from par- + fornir, furnir (“to accomplish, furnish”), from Frankish *frummjan (“to accomplish, furnish”), from Proto-Germanic *frumjaną, *framjaną (“to further, promote”), from Proto-Indo-European *promo- (“in front, forth”), *per- (“forward, out”). Cognate with Old High German frummen (“to do, execute, accomplish, provide”), Old Saxon frummian (“to perform, promote”), Old English fremman (“to perform, execute, carry out, accomplish”). See also frame, from. Modernly, rather than Proto-Germanic *frumjaną, associated with Latin formō, analyzable as per- + form.
Webster’s 1913
- verb To carry through; to bring to completion; to achieve; to accomplish; to execute; to do. I will cry unto God most high, unto God that performeth all things for me. Ps. lvii. 2.
- verb To discharge; to fulfill; to act up to; as, to perform a duty; to perform a promise or a vow. To perform your father's will. Shak.
- verb To do, execute, or accomplish something; to acquit one's self in any business; esp., to represent sometimes by action; to act a part; to play on a musical instrument; as, the players perform poorly; the musician performs on the organ.
Etymology [OE. performen, parfourmen, parfournen, OF. parfornir, parfournir, to finish, complete; OF. & F. par (see Par) + fournir to finish, complete. The word has been influenced by form; cf. L. performare to form thoroughly. See Furnish.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “perform”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details