perform

verb

(ambitransitive) To do (something) in front of an audience, such as acting or music, often in order to entertain.

(transitive) To do (something); to execute.

(intransitive) To exhibit an expected pattern of behavior; to function; to work.

(transitive) To act in accordance with (a contract); to fulfill one’s terms of (a contract).

(intransitive) To fulfill contractually agreed-to terms.

(law) To act in a way set forth in a contract.

(transitive) To behave in accordance with, and thereby in turn shape, (a social notion or role).

(intransitive) To behave in ways that carry meaning in social contexts.

(by extension, transitive) To behave theatrically so as to give the impression of (a quality, character trait, etc.); to feign.

(sexology, uncommon) Of a man, to be able to initiate or fulfill an act of sexual intercourse.

(social sciences) Of a social actor, to behave in certain ways.

Roots

forma-form · Latin · shape, form

Synonyms for perform

executev dov concertizev playactv conductn operatev accomplishv actn fulfillv officiatev

Synonyms & related words for perform

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of perform — including execute, do, concertize, playact, conduct, operate. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to perform

Explore words related to perform — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include preforming, performable, unperformed, nonperforming, performance, rehearse, balladist, rehearser. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for perform

Common synonyms for perform include execute, do, concertize, playact, conduct, operate, accomplish, act — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does perform come from?

The word perform breaks down into one root of Latin origin: the root -form, from Latin forma (“shape, form”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.