The term 'not perfect' can be described by four different crossword solutions: FALLIBLE (8 letters), tarnished (9 letters), HUMAN (5 letters), and FLAWED (6 letters). FALLIBLE means capable of making mistakes, tarnished implies something has been damaged or stained, HUMAN suggests that something is not perfect because it is made by humans, and FLAWED implies that something is not perfect because it has a defect. HOTHOUSE (8 letters) is a metaphor for an environment where things are not perfect because they are overly protected and sheltered.