Perform vs. Preform — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 11, 2023
"Perform" means to carry out, execute, or present an action, task, or show. "Preform" means to shape or create in advance, usually as a preliminary step to something else.
Difference Between Perform and Preform
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
In terms of grammatical usage, "perform" and "preform" are both verbs, but their prefixes signify different actions. "Per-" in perform implies thoroughness or completeness in action, while "pre-" in preform implies action in advance.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 11, 2023
While "perform" can be used in a broad range of contexts, including arts, sciences, and daily life, "preform" is more commonly used in manufacturing and material sciences. For example, you perform a dance, but you preform a plastic component to be used in a larger assembly.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 11, 2023
"Perform" has several derivatives, like performance and performer, expanding its lexical family. "Preform" is a more specialized term and has fewer derivatives, usually sticking to technical contexts.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 11, 2023
Both words, though only one letter apart, serve very different purposes. "Perform" is likely to be more commonly encountered in day-to-day English, while "preform" would be encountered in more specialized, technical contexts.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 11, 2023
"Perform" often denotes the execution or presentation of a task, action, or event. It could involve anything from singing on stage to completing a job. "Preform," on the other hand, is more specific and usually means to shape or create something in advance, often as a precursor to further manufacturing or processing.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 11, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
ADVERTISEMENT
Definitions
Preform
To shape or create in advance.
They preform the metal before molding.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 11, 2023
Preform
To arrange or set in advance.
The tasks are preformed in the schedule.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 11, 2023
Perform
To present an art form to an audience.
The band will perform tonight.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 11, 2023
Perform
To operate or function in a specific manner.
The car performs well on highways.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 11, 2023
Preform
To make a preliminary version.
The factory preforms the plastic sheets.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 11, 2023
Perform
To accomplish or fulfill something.
He performed his duties diligently.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 11, 2023
Preform
To fashion or construct preliminarily.
The artist preforms a clay model.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 11, 2023
Perform
Carry out, accomplish, or fulfil (an action, task, or function)
I have my duties to perform
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2018
Perform
Present (a form of entertainment) to an audience
The play has already been performed in Britain
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2018
Perform
To begin and carry through to completion; do
The surgeon performed the operation.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2018
Perform
To take action in accordance with the requirements of; fulfill
Perform one's contractual obligations.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2018
Preform
An object that has been subjected to preliminary, usually incomplete shaping or molding before undergoing complete or final processing.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2018
Perform
To give a public presentation of; present
My theater group performed a three-act play.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2018
Preform
An object that has undergone preliminary shaping but is not yet in its final form.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2018
Perform
To function or accomplish something as expected or required
A car that performs well on curves.
Workers not performing up to standard.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2018
Preform
(archaeology) The rough, incomplete and unused basic form of a stone tool.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2018
Preform
(linguistics) A word that is no longer in use, but has been reconstructed from current ones.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2018
Perform
To portray a role or demonstrate a skill before an audience
The juggler performed atop a unicycle.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2018
Perform
To present a dramatic or musical work or other entertainment before an audience.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2018
Perform
(transitive) To do (something); to execute.
The scientists performed several experiments.
It took him only twenty minutes to perform the task.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2018
Perform
(intransitive) To exhibit an expected pattern of behavior; to function; to work.
The new employee performs well.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2018
Perform
(transitive) To act in accordance with (a contract); to fulfill one’s terms of (a contract).
Failure to perform a contract on time may constitute a breach of contract.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2018
Perform
(intransitive) To fulfill contractually agreed-to terms.
They entered into an agreement and now they are obliged to perform.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2018
Perform
(ambitransitive) To do (something) in front of an audience, such as acting or music, often in order to entertain.
She will perform in the play.
The magician performed badly—none of his tricks worked.
The string quartet performed three pieces by Haydn.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2018
Perform
To behave theatrically so as to give the impression of (a quality, character trait, etc.); to feign.
The accused only performed remorse.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2018
Perform
(transitive) To behave in accordance with, and thereby in turn shape, (a social notion or role).
Perform masculinity
Perform authority
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2018
Perform
(intransitive) To behave in ways that carry meaning in social contexts.
Individuals in societies perform all the time.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2018
Perform
To carry through; to bring to completion; to achieve; to accomplish; to execute; to do.
I will cry unto God most high, unto God that performeth all things for me.
Great force to perform what they did attempt.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2018
Perform
To discharge; to fulfill; to act up to; as, to perform a duty; to perform a promise or a vow.
To perform your father's will.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2018
Perform
To represent; to act; to play; as in drama.
Perform a part thou hast not done before.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2018
Perform
To do, execute, or accomplish something; to acquit one's self in any business; esp., to represent sometimes by action; to act a part; to play on a musical instrument; as, the players perform poorly; the musician performs on the organ.
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2018
Perform
Carry out or perform an action;
John did the painting, the weeding, and he cleaned out the gutters
The skater executed a triple pirouette
She did a little dance
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2018
Perform
Give a performance (of something);
Horowitz is performing at Carnegie Hall tonight
We performed a popular Gilbert and Sullivan opera
Tayyaba Rehman
Jun 15, 2018
FAQs
Are Perform and Preform interchangeable?
No, they have different meanings and are used in different contexts.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 11, 2023
Is Perform only used in arts and entertainment?
No, "perform" is used in various contexts including work, tasks, and functionality.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 11, 2023
Is Preform a technical term?
Generally, yes. It is most commonly used in manufacturing and material sciences.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 11, 2023
What does Preform mean?
"Preform" means to shape or create something in advance.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 11, 2023
What is the prefix in Perform?
The prefix "per-" implies thoroughness or completeness in action.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 11, 2023
What is the prefix in Preform?
The prefix "pre-" implies action taken in advance.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 11, 2023
What does Perform mean?
"Perform" means to carry out or execute a task, action, or event.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 11, 2023
Is Preform used in everyday language?
Not typically; it's more common in specialized fields like manufacturing.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 11, 2023
Can you Perform a Preform?
You can perform the action of preforming, such as shaping a material in advance.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 11, 2023
How do you spell Perform and Preform?
Perform is spelled P-E-R-F-O-R-M, and Preform is spelled P-R-E-F-O-R-M.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 11, 2023
Author Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content editor at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
