permanent

1 of 2

adjective

per·​ma·​nent ˈpər-mə-nənt 

ˈpərm-nənt

1

: continuing or enduring without fundamental or marked change : stable

the museum's permanent art collection

an accident causing permanent injury

2

a

: not easily removed, washed away, or erased : indelible sense 1a

permanent stains

b

: making marks that cannot easily be removed : indelible sense 1b

labeling boxes with permanent markers

permanentness noun

permanent

2 of 2

noun

: a long-lasting hair wave produced by mechanical and chemical means

called also permanent wave

Synonyms

Adjective

• ceaseless
• dateless
• deathless
• endless
• eternal
• everlasting
• immortal
• perpetual
• undying
• unending

Choose the Right Synonym for permanent

lasting, permanent, durable, stable mean enduring for so long as to seem fixed or established.

lasting implies a capacity to continue indefinitely.

a book that left a lasting impression on me

permanent adds usually the implication of being designed or planned to stand or continue indefinitely.

permanent living arrangements

durable implies power to resist destructive agencies.

durable fabrics

stable implies lastingness because of resistance to being overturned or displaced.

a stable government

Examples of permanent in a Sentence

Adjective

She made a permanent home in this country.

Prolonged exposure to the sun can cause permanent skin damage.

The museum's permanent collection includes works of art from the 18th century.

The transcripts will serve as a permanent record of the proceedings.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

True to that mission, the project adds trails to the site from the museum’s north, home to Robert Irwin’s permanent installation of hornbeam trees. —Sam Cochran, Architectural Digest, 19 Nov. 2024

Throughout its presidency, India specifically sought to elevate the global South’s collective leadership abilities, emphasizing collaboration with Brazil, Indonesia, and South Africa and welcoming the African Union as a permanent G-20 member with U.S. President Joe Biden’s support. —Leslie Vinjamuri, Foreign Affairs, 15 Nov. 2024

Noun

But that is still a sizable market; a 2020 analysis found that 10.5 million Americans used home hair permanents and relaxers, and clients are still having their hair relaxed at salons. —Linda Villarosa Robin Miles Krish Seenivasan Alec K. Redfearn, New York Times, 13 June 2024

There is always a temptation to make the temporary permanent, which is why the peace government must prioritize elections. —Ashraf Ghani, Foreign Affairs, 4 May 2021

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Anglo-French parmanant, from Latin permanent-, permanens, present participle of permanēre to endure, from per- throughout + manēre to remain — more at per-, mansion

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1925, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing permanent

• permanent magnet
• permanent press
• permanent tissue
• permanent tooth

Kids Definition

permanent

1 of 2 adjective

per·​ma·​nent ˈpərm(-ə)-nənt 

: lasting or intended to last for a very long time : not temporary or changing

permanence

-nən(t)s

noun

permanency

-nən-sē

noun

permanently adverb

permanentness noun

permanent

2 of 2 noun

: a long-lasting hair wave produced by mechanical and chemical means

Medical Definition

permanent

adjective

per·​ma·​nent ˈpərm(-ə)-nənt 

: of, relating to, or being a permanent tooth

permanent dentition