immaculate

/ɪˈmækjələt/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪˈmækjələt/ (ame, ipa) · /i-ˈma-kyə-lət/ (ame, mw)

immaculate — adjective

  • immaculatepositive
  • more immaculatecomparative
  • most immaculatesuperlative

1. extremely clean, tidy, and well-kept, so that you cannot see a single mark, stai

1.形容詞C1
釋義

extremely clean, tidy, and well-kept, so that you cannot see a single mark, stain, or sign of dirt anywhere.

例句

Manuela kept her small kitchen immaculate, scrubbing the counters every evening before bed.

predicative use: keep [object] + immaculate

The hotel room was immaculate when Asher arrived, with fresh flowers on the desk.

describing rooms or spaces ready for guests

同義詞
  • spotless

    near-synonym; slightly more informal and focused on absence of dirt

  • pristine

    emphasises original, untouched condition rather than active cleaning

  • spick-and-span

    informal; usually for rooms freshly tidied

反義詞
  • filthy

    strong opposite for dirt and grime

  • messy

    general opposite for untidiness rather than dirt

用法筆記

Often used predicatively after 'keep', 'look', or 'be' with rooms, clothing, vehicles, and surfaces. Stronger than 'clean' or 'tidy' — implies a standard so high there is nothing at all to criticise.

常見錯誤

❌My desk is quite immaculate.
✅My desk is immaculate.
💡'immaculate' is an absolute adjective; avoid weakeners like 'quite' or 'fairly'.

2. done so well that there is nothing at all that could be improved or corrected —

2.形容詞C1
釋義

done so well that there is nothing at all that could be improved or corrected — for example, a performance with no wrong notes, or a report with no errors.

例句

Sana gave an immaculate performance at the violin recital on Saturday night.

describing a skilled performance with no errors

The lawyer's argument was immaculate, and the jury reached a verdict within an hour.

describing reasoning or argument without weakness

同義詞
  • flawless

    very close synonym for performances and work

  • faultless

    interchangeable in most performance contexts

  • impeccable

    often preferred for manners, taste, or judgement

反義詞
  • flawed

    general opposite for work containing errors

  • sloppy

    informal opposite for careless or poor execution

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1 by what is being described: sense 1 covers physical surfaces and appearance; sense 2 covers work, performance, skill, or reasoning. Common with abstract nouns: performance, timing, grammar, manners, record.

常見錯誤

❌Her cake recipe is immaculate.
✅Her cake recipe is flawless.
💡'immaculate' for skills or performances usually refers to execution, not to instructions or designs.