perfectionist

A perfectionist is someone who wants everything they do to be exactly as good as possible. They can be very hard on themselves if things don't turn out perfectly.

When people say "perfectionist" in conversation, it usually means a person who sets incredibly high standards for themselves and others. For example, a perfectionist might spend hours editing a single essay or cooking the same meal multiple times until they get it just right. Some perfectionists can be really hard to live with because their expectations are so high that nobody can meet them. But on the other hand, having a perfectionist in your life can also motivate you to try harder and do better.