perform
gb/pɚfˈɔɹm/ us/pɚfˈɔɹm/
A2
English
~ 1200
elvégez, ellát, végez, fellép, előad, szerepel, végrehajt
VERB
B1
1
Usage pattern:
to perform [a task/action/duty]
The engineer performed the safety checks before starting the machine.
A mérnök elvégezte a biztonsági ellenőrzéseket, mielőtt beindította a gépet.
She performed her duties with great care.
Nagy gondossággal látta el a feladatait.
The robot can perform multiple functions at once.
You must perform the required steps to complete the process.
Learner examples
I perform my work every day.
Mindennap elvégzem a munkámat.
He performs his job well.
Jól végzi a munkáját.
We perform the test in the lab.
They perform the task together.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'perform' with 'make' or 'do'. 'Perform' is used for tasks, duties, or actions, especially in formal or professional contexts.
Meaning
Carry out a task or activity
Collocations
perform a task
|perform duties
|perform work
|perform the job
Synonyms
carry out (Slightly more informal and common in everyday speech for doing a specific task.)
|
execute (More formal, often used in legal, military, or technical contexts.)
Antonyms
neglect (Means to fail to do something that should be done.)
Themes
work
|daily life
|education
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To do a task or job.
To carry out an action, task, or duty as required or expected.
VERB
A2
2
Usage pattern:
to perform [in a play/song/concert]
The band will perform at the festival tonight.
A zenekar ma este fellép a fesztiválon.
She performed in a Broadway musical last year.
Tavaly szerepelt egy Broadway-musicalben.
The magician performed several amazing tricks for the children.
They performed Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' in the park.
Learner examples
The singer will perform tonight.
Az énekes ma este fellép.
He performs in the theater.
A színházban lép fel.
They perform songs for the guests.
She performs on stage every weekend.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'perform' with 'play'. Use 'perform' for the overall act of presenting art; 'play' can refer to specific roles or instruments.
Meaning
Present entertainment to an audience
Collocations
perform live
|perform on stage
|perform a song
|perform in public
Synonyms
present (General term for showing something to an audience; less specific to entertainment.)
|
act (Specific to playing a role in a play or film.)
Antonyms
rehearse (Means to practice privately without an audience; opposite in context of public performance.)
Themes
arts
|entertainment
|arts_entertainment
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To act, sing, dance, or play music for people to watch or listen to.
To act, sing, dance, or otherwise present an artistic work to an audience.
VERB
B2
FORMAL
3
Usage pattern:
to perform [an operation/experiment/test]
The surgeon performed a successful heart transplant.
A sebész sikeres szívátültetést hajtott végre.
Scientists performed several experiments to confirm the theory.
A tudósok több kísérletet végeztek az elmélet igazolására.
The lawyer performed her duties according to the law.
Technicians performed routine maintenance on the aircraft.
Learner examples
The doctor will perform the operation.
Az orvos el fogja végezni a műtétet.
We perform tests in the lab.
A laborban vizsgálatokat végzünk.
He performs the check before starting the car.
They perform an experiment for school.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse 'do' instead of 'perform' in formal contexts like surgery or experiments.
Meaning
Carry out a procedure or operation
Collocations
perform surgery
|perform an experiment
|perform a test
Synonyms
conduct (Common in formal settings; emphasizes organizing and carrying out.)
|
undertake (More formal and literary; stresses responsibility for starting and completing.)
Antonyms
abort (Means to stop a procedure before it is completed.)
Themes
science
|medicine
|health
|law
Definition
To do a special job like an operation or experiment.
To carry out a formal or specialized procedure, often in medical, scientific, or legal contexts.
Grammar
Dictionary form
perform
IPA
GB/pɚfˈɔɹm/
US/pɚfˈɔɹm/
Syllables & stress
per - form (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (per)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: perform
- 3rd Person Singular: performs
- Present Participle: performing
- Past: performed
Word family
Forms
performs
verb
performing
verb
performed
verb
Core family
performance
noun A2
performer
noun B1
Related words
outperform
verb C1
Negative and opposite forms
underperform
verb B2
underperformance
noun
Advanced or less common
performative
adjective
Expressions
perform poorly
1/pɚfˈɔɹm pˈʊɹli/
fixed phrase
Do something badly or ineffectively
To not do something well and get bad results.
Examples
- The company performed poorly last quarter.
- He performed poorly during the interview.
perform well
1/pɚfˈɔɹm wˈɛl/
fixed phrase
Do something successfully or effectively
To do something in a good way and get good results.
Examples
- The student performed well on the exam.
- Our team performed well under pressure.
perform a miracle
1/pɚfˈɔɹm ə mˈɪɹəkəl/
idiom
succeed in something almost impossible
To succeed in doing something that seemed almost impossible.
Examples
- The doctor practically performed a miracle by saving both mother and child.
- You’ll have to perform a miracle to finish this report by tomorrow.
- The chef performed a miracle and fed fifty guests with very little food.
perform a miracle
2/pɚfˈɔɹm ə mˈɪɹəkəl/
idiom
informal
Achieve something very unlikely or difficult
To do something that seems impossible.
Examples
- The doctor performed a miracle by saving her life.
- It will take someone to perform a miracle to fix this mess.