Crossword Genius

Perfect, not being able to light up (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

matchless

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'able to light up' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'perfect not' is the wordplay.
'perfect' becomes 'match' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'not' becomes 'less' (I've seen this in other clues).
'match'+'less'='MATCHLESS'

'being' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for matchless that I've seen before include "reason for rubbing sticks together?" , "Without a rival" , "team without a fixture" , "Unique" , "Incomparable" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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