perfect game: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical (in sports journalism); Informal (in extended use).
Quick answer
What does “perfect game” mean?
In baseball: a game in which a pitcher prevents every opposing batter from reaching base.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
In baseball: a game in which a pitcher prevents every opposing batter from reaching base.
A flawless, unblemished performance in any field, where the participant or team achieves the absolute best possible result without any errors or setbacks.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The technical baseball term is American English in origin and is less common in UK sports reporting. The UK equivalent for a flawless bowling (cricket) performance is 'perfect game' is not standard; terms like 'all ten wickets' or 'hat-trick' are used for specific achievements. The metaphorical use is understood in both varieties.
Connotations
In the US, the primary association is with baseball and elite sporting achievement. In the UK, the term is more likely to be understood in its general metaphorical sense.
Frequency
Much more frequent in American English due to its status as a formal baseball statistic. Its metaphorical use has moderate frequency in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “perfect game” in a Sentence
[Pitcher/Player] pitched a perfect game against [Team].It was only the [number] perfect game in [league] history.Her presentation was a perfect game of clarity and persuasion.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “perfect game” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The darts player perfect-gamed his way to the final.
- It's a rare feat to perfect-game in professional cricket.
American English
- Only 23 pitchers have ever perfect-gamed in Major League history.
- She aims to perfect-game every exam this semester.
adverb
British English
- The team played perfect-game well throughout the tournament.
- He executed the plan perfect-game.
American English
- She pitched perfect-game through the first five innings.
- The system is running perfect-game so far.
adjective
British English
- It was a perfect-game scenario for the home team.
- He gave a perfect-game performance in the debate.
American English
- The pitcher was in perfect-game form by the seventh inning.
- That was a perfect-game presentation you delivered.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Could be used metaphorically: 'The merger negotiation was a perfect game—not a single concession was needed.'
Academic
Very rare except in historical/sociological analysis of sports.
Everyday
Used metaphorically to describe any task done perfectly: 'You got all the answers right? That's a perfect game!'
Technical
Precise statistical term in baseball; a formal achievement with strict criteria (27 batters faced, 27 outs, no hits, walks, or errors).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “perfect game”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “perfect game”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “perfect game”
- Using it for any good sports performance (must be flawless). *'He played a perfect game, only missing two shots.' is incorrect. Confusing it with a 'shutout' (no runs scored) or a 'no-hitter' (no hits, but walks are allowed).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A no-hitter means the opposing team gets no hits, but batters can still reach base via walks, errors, or being hit by a pitch. A perfect game is stricter: no batter may reach base at all, meaning no hits, walks, errors, or hit batters. All perfect games are no-hitters, but not all no-hitters are perfect games.
Yes, it's commonly used metaphorically to describe any flawless, error-free performance, such as in a business presentation, a surgical procedure, or a musical recital.
Not as a formal statistical term. While one might say a bowler had 'a perfect spell' metaphorically, there is no direct equivalent statistic in cricket. The term is understood in the UK primarily through American media and its metaphorical application.
Extremely rare. In over 140 years of Major League Baseball history, there have been only 24 official perfect games, making it one of the sport's most exclusive achievements.
In baseball: a game in which a pitcher prevents every opposing batter from reaching base.
Perfect game is usually technical (in sports journalism); informal (in extended use). in register.
Perfect game: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpɜːfɪkt ɡeɪm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpɝːfɪkt ɡeɪm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To pitch a perfect game”
- “A perfect game from start to finish (metaphorical)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a baseball pitcher with a PERFECT score of '0' on the board for the opposing team—no hits, no runs, no errors. That's a PERFECT GAME.
Conceptual Metaphor
ACHIEVEMENT IS A FLAWLESS SPORTING EVENT; A COMPLEX TASK IS A GAME.
Practice
Quiz
Which of these is a prerequisite for a official 'perfect game' in Major League Baseball?