performance

/pɚˈfɔːr.məns/
execution of an activity

Her performance in the play was outstanding.

She acted exceptionally well in the theatrical production.


general

The act of performing a task, action, or function.

The athlete's performance during the race broke the world record.

The athlete ran so fast that they set a new world record.

Often used to describe how well someone completes a task or activity.

general

The way in which someone or something functions, especially in a specific role.

The car's performance on the highway is excellent.

The car handles and accelerates very well on long drives.

Commonly used in contexts like sports, technology, or business to describe effectiveness.

general

A public presentation or exhibition of a skill, such as acting, music, or sports.

She gave a solo performance at the concert hall.

She sang alone on stage during the musical event.

Often refers to artistic or entertainment-related activities.

Law
formal

The execution or carrying out of a plan, order, or duty.

The performance of the contract was completed on time.

Both parties fulfilled all obligations under the agreement by the deadline.

In legal contexts, refers to fulfilling contractual obligations.

Collocations

high performanceachieving excellent resultspoor performancefailing to meet expectationsperformance reviewevaluation of an employee's workperformance artartistic presentation involving actions rather than objects

Related Phrases

performance-basedphrase
rewarded or judged by results
underperformphrasal verb
to perform below expectations

Pro Tip

Collocation Tip

Use 'high performance' to describe excellence (e.g., 'high-performance car') and 'poor performance' for failure (e.g., 'poor performance in exams').

Gold Rule

Context Matters

Always consider whether 'performance' refers to the action (e.g., 'the performance of duties') or the quality of results (e.g., 'excellent performance').

Word Origin

From Middle English 'performans', from Old French 'parformance', from 'parformer' (to perform), from Latin 'per-' (thoroughly) + 'formare' (to form).

Usage Notes

The word 'performance' can refer to both the act of doing something and the quality of the result. In business and sports, it often implies measurable success. In arts, it emphasizes the live presentation aspect.

Word Breakdown

per-
thoroughly
prefix
+
-form-
to form
root
+
-ance
state or quality of
suffix
English Dictionary