A2verb1K

Perform

UK /["/pəˈfɔːm/","/pəˈfɔːmz/","/pəˈfɔːmd/","/pəˈfɔːmɪŋ/"]/US /["/pərˈfɔːrm/","/pərˈfɔːrmz/","/pərˈfɔːrmd/","/pərˈfɔːrmɪŋ/"]/

Definition

to entertain an audience by playing a piece of music, acting in a play, etc.

In simple words: to do something, especially in front of others

Examples

She will perform a song at the concert tonight.
The magician will perform amazing tricks.
You need to perform well in your exams to pass.
The athlete was eager to perform better in the competition.
They asked him to perform a dance routine.

Usage notes

Used in contexts such as theater, music, and tasks. Common in both informal and formal settings. Avoid when not discussing an action or task.

Grammar pattern

perform + action

Memory hint

Think of a 'performing artist' to connect the word with actions done for an audience.

Collocations

live
in public
publicly
first performed
rarely performed
see something performed
effectively
efficiently
properly
be able to
be unable to
be expected to
failure to perform something
admirably
beautifully
brilliantly
be able to
be unable to
be expected to

Synonyms

carry out

Antonyms

neglect
ignore
abort

Common mistakes

Used incorrectly as 'performance' instead of 'perform'
Confused with 'present', especially in a non-theatrical context
Using 'perform' without specifying what is being performed