DictionaryAI

performance

noun
per-FOR-muhns/pɚˈfɔɹ.məns/UKpuh-FAW-muhns/pəˈfɔː.məns/

Pluralperformances

6 meanings of performance

Practice

  1. 1
    nouncountable or uncountable
    How well someone or something does a job, a test, or another activity.

    Like checking how fast a car goes and how much gas it uses.

    The new phone's performance improved after the update.

    We tested the car's performance on a long trip.

    UsageSay the car's performance or better performance.

    Similarefficiency, functioning, operation

  2. 2
    live shownouncountable or uncountable
    A show, like a concert or play, put on for people to watch, usually in person.

    Like a concert where musicians play live for a crowd watching them.

    We watched a magical performance at the theater last night.

    The band's final performance drew a huge crowd.

    UsageSay give a performance or see a performance.

    Similarshow, concert, recital, production

  3. 3
    act of doingnouncountable or uncountable
    The act of doing a job or task, or something that someone has done.

    Like following every step needed to finish a job.

    The performance of his duties took all morning.

    Her careful performance of each task impressed the teacher.

    UsageSay the performance of your duties.

    Similarexecution, fulfillment, discharge, conduct, completion

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 4
    nouncolloquialUKcountablebritish
    A job or activity that is much more trouble and work than it should be.

    Getting the kids ready for school every morning is such a performance.

    What a performance it was to find somewhere to park in town!

    UsageSay what a performance! about a big fuss.

    Similarfuss, palaver, production, rigmarole

    Note
  2. 5
    nouncountable
    The way an actor plays a character, or a singer or musician plays or sings a piece of music.

    Her performance as the queen made half the audience cry.

    The singer gave a lovely performance of the old song on the radio.

    UsageSay her performance as the queen.

    Similarportrayal, interpretation, rendition

    Note
  3. 6
    noun
    The way people actually use a language when they speak, not the rules they hold in their heads.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of performance apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

It comes from the older English word "parfourmaunce." It is made from "perform" plus "-ance."

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts