performance
C1Neutral to Formal
Definition
Meaning
The act of carrying out or accomplishing a task, function, or piece of work, often to a standard that can be measured or judged.
A public presentation or exhibition of a creative work (e.g., a play, concert); the manner in which something functions or operates; a display of particular behaviour, often exaggerated or artificial.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word bridges concrete actions (task execution) and artistic presentation. In business/tech contexts, it implies measurable efficiency.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor. 'Performance' as a 'display of exaggerated behaviour' ('She made a big performance of apologising') is slightly more common in UK informal use. In US sports, 'performance-enhancing drugs' is a fixed phrase.
Connotations
Generally the same. In both, can imply 'theatre' or 'show' when used pejoratively.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both varieties across academic, business, and general contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
performance of + [noun] (the performance of his duties)performance in + [area] (her performance in the exam)performance by + [agent] (a performance by the orchestra)performance on + [metric/test] (performance on the stock market)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A command performance (a performance given by royal request)”
- “To make a performance (out of something) (to complain or react in an unnecessarily dramatic way)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to measurable outcomes of a company, employee, or investment (e.g., 'quarterly performance', 'performance indicators').
Academic
Used for scholarly analysis of artistic works or for student/ institutional achievement (e.g., 'a critical analysis of the performance', 'academic performance').
Everyday
Commonly refers to how well something works (car, computer) or a public artistic event (theatre, music).
Technical
In computing/engineering: the efficiency and speed of a system (e.g., 'system performance', 'performance benchmarking').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The team performed admirably under pressure.
- The vehicle performed to the manufacturer's specifications.
American English
- The stock performed well this quarter.
- She performed the song beautifully.
adverb
British English
- The system is performing exceptionally.
- The athlete performed poorly in the final.
American English
- The new software performs reliably.
- He performed brilliantly in the interview.
adjective
British English
- They bought a high-performance sports car.
- The performance-related pay scheme was introduced.
American English
- We need performance metrics for the project.
- It was a performance-based contract.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The school play was a great performance.
- Her performance in class is very good.
- The company's performance this year was better than last.
- We watched a live performance at the theatre.
- The athlete's performance has improved significantly since changing coaches.
- Critical reviews of the ballet's performance were mixed.
- The board is concerned about the portfolio's lacklustre performance over the last quarter.
- Her performance of the sonata was a masterful interpretation of the composer's intent.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a PERformer on a stage, who must complete (PERform) an act to a standard. PERFORMance is the result or the display of that act.
Conceptual Metaphor
ACHIEVEMENT IS A THEATRICAL SHOW ('The company put on a dazzling financial performance.'); FUNCTIONING IS A RACE ('The engine is operating at peak performance.').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid directly translating Russian 'перформанс' only as contemporary art; English 'performance' is much broader (work, car, school).
- Do not confuse with 'performer' (исполнитель). 'Performance' is the abstract noun for the act or its quality.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'performance' as a countable noun for a machine's operation (e.g., 'The car gives a good performance' is less natural than 'The car has good performance').
- Misspelling as 'preformance'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'performance' LEAST likely to refer to an artistic presentation?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It can be both countable and uncountable. It's countable when referring to specific instances (e.g., 'three performances a day'). It's uncountable when referring to the general concept or quality of functioning (e.g., 'engine performance', 'job performance').
'Performance' is the act, display, or result. 'Performer' is the person or thing that carries out the performance (e.g., an actor, musician, or a well-performing stock).
Yes. It can imply something is done for show or is exaggerated and insincere, e.g., 'He made a big performance of checking his watch, wanting us to know he was busy.'
KPIs are 'Key Performance Indicators' – specific, measurable metrics used to evaluate the success of an organisation or employee in meeting objectives.
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