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perfectionist

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Someone who finds it hard to be happy with their work unless it is of a very high standard. For example, if a perfectionist gets a B grade, they think they have failed as they feel that it's not good enough.

It can be self-destructive and time wasting as perfectionists often procrastinate to avoid doing important tasks in what they see as a substandard way.

They push themselves beyond the normal limits to achieve their goals and people are sometimes surprised by what they can accomplish.

Perfectionists do not deal well with pressure and close deadlines, particularly when the work is important, as they feel they do not have enough time to make their work 'perfect' and therefore be happy with it.

It can be both a blessing and a curse.

Perfectionists are not the same as those who suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), although they can be obsessive about their work.
Jack: I'm a perfectionist. I'm not happy with my work unless I know it's the best it can be.
James: I hadn't noticed.
Jack: I detected a tad of sarcasm in your voice then.

Selective Perfectionist

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The name given to a person that chooses to complete random tasks to perfection, but lacks the ability to perfect or even attempt the other necessary tasks in life. A Selective Perfectionist has the full potential to do everything "just right" but chooses to waste all of their time perfecting something else when other things require attention. Also known as procrastinating.

See also: Selective hearing
Example one:
John: *In an over-enthusiastic voice* "I just spent 7 hours at work today organizing and perfecting some file drawers, I even re-color coded everything and put it in super-alphabetical order"

Diane: "Well that's great for you John, but have you done your laundry yet or taken out the garbage?"

John: "Uh, no."

Jane: "You're such a selective perfectionist. I want a divorce."

Example two:

Mom: "Jeffrey, have you cleaned up your room yet or packed for the Florida trip?"

Jeffrey: "Not jussst yet. See, I was playing Spore and I started creating my creature, then it needed wings, and I thought some horns would look pretty cool. Then I just had to give it some big eyes and razors for feet. And..."

Mom: "For f@#$ sake Jeffrey, you're 24. Put down the video game and turn your selective perfectionst attitude towards things that need your attention, like your room, or a SHOWER. I need a drink"

Perfectionist Paralysis 

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The inability to start on a project, assignment, essay or any creative task due to the fear of not getting it perfectly right.
Joe: You haven't started writing your paper yet?
Bob: Nope
Joe: Isn't it due tomorrow?
Bob: Yep.
Joe: I thought you went to the library and did your research, made your notes and wrote your outline.
Bob: I've got perfectionist paralysis.
Word of the Day on March 1, 2011

perfectionitis 

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a condition that causes one to sporatically fix things until they are perfect or to repeat actions until perfection is reached.
an undiagnosed form of acute OCD
I had to rewrite my English homework five times on 5 new sheets of paper because I came down with a sudden case of perfectionitis and needed to see flawlessly neat handwriting.
perfectionitis by Kathyrin February 23, 2009

impatient perfectionist 

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Someone who wants everything perfect but doesn't have the energy or time to do it. So the project ends up looking a little above average.
Wow you really did a fantastic job being average you you lazy control freek impatient perfectionist.

Perfectionist Paralysis 

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When a project slows to a standstill due to ... hold on let me think. How should I phrase this?

see Paralysis of Analysis.
The development of Duke Nukem Forever has suffered from a decades worth of perfectionist paralysis.
More from Urban Dictionary

Overstand 

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To understand a topic or statement to the highest extent.
Leroy, after being told the tenth time by his sister, did overstand her idea of robbing the 7-11.
Overstand by Elf Eater March 23, 2003
Word of the Day on August 20, 2026

minimap 

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A map that mostly tells you where everything is
Friend 1: Follow me there is a player nearby
Friend 2: How do you know?
Friend 1: Minimap
minimap by LeWord January 13, 2015
Word of the Day on August 19, 2026

Pink Cloud

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12 step recovery jargon referring to someone new who talks about how great life is, now that they're sober. Usually meaning that the person is out of touch with reality.
The new guy seems pretty happy for a dude who has no job, no money and no family. He must be on a pink cloud.
Pink Cloud by toniwithaneye November 24, 2006
Word of the Day on August 18, 2026

Dotard 

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An aging individual who has long lost the ability to make rational sense.
That dotard is going to get us all blown up, if he doesn't calm down .
Dotard by anonymous September 22, 2017
Word of the Day on August 17, 2026

Chancla

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The deadliest weapon known to a Latin kid; a flying slipper/ flip-flop.
My mom hit me with a chancla.
Chancla by TardisBae October 31, 2014
Word of the Day on August 16, 2026

Striver 

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The striver is an interesting phenomenon that is seen across college campuses. In essence, the striver is an over-achiever who comes from a working or middle class family. He may be an immigrant. He may have been a slacker in HS who was "born again" into an academic wunderkind. Or he may just be an over-achiever who is keeping at it.

The striver is willing to sacrifice his social life at the expense of Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude. The striver is the guy who stays at the library long after you are gone. The striver is the guy who takes 30 credits/semester and considers anything below an A/4.0 failure. The striver doesn't work on campus, he is too busy finding ways to pad his resume instead of working retail or workstudy. The striver lets his grades pay his education by applying to ten scholarships a year.

The striver is a future Soros/Fullbright/Rhodes/Gates/Marshall/etc. fellow. The striver lives to study. For the striver, their fun comes from the rewards they expect to receive in return for their diligence. Be it Law School, B-School, academia, or politics. The striver seeks to find the American Dream through academic success.
Anthony was a striver. He transfered from a TTT to an IVY and graduated in 2 years. He studied his ass off and went to Penn Law. He got a Biglaw offer. But lost it all because of an unmoderated mesasgeboard.

Successful strivers:
- Barack Obama
- Harold Koh
Striver by URM Striver January 3, 2009
Word of the Day on August 15, 2026
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