impermanent

American  

[im-pur-muh-nuhnt] / ɪmˈpɜr mə nənt /

adjective

1. not permanent or enduring; transitory.

   Synonyms:

   evanescent, ephemeral, temporary, fleeting

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impermanent British  

/ ɪmˈpɜːmənənt /

adjective

1. not permanent; fleeting; transitory

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• impermanency
  noun
• impermanently
  adverb
• impermanence
  noun

Etymology

Origin of impermanent

First recorded in 1645–55; im- ² + permanent

Explanation

Impermanent describes something that's temporary, like a bad poison ivy rash, a one-day sale at your favorite store, or a message written in the sky by an airplane. The adjective impermanent is useful for talking about things that are fleeting or transitory; bubbles, the summer, a baby's cute lisp, and a wonderful dream are all impermanent. Many religions, especially Buddhism, emphasize the impermanent nature of everything in life, and the inevitability of change. The word at the root of impermanent is permanent, from the Latin permanere, "endure, continue, or stay to the end."

Example Sentences

He’s rough-hewn, simple, hardworking, not immune to the impermanent nature of the world but brought up short when that world goes awry; Mr. Edgerton has to give emotional depth to a laconic character.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 20, 2025

But just like a bright impermanent star, the young, wide-eyed boys turned industry-downtrodden men burned out in 2016.

From Salon • Oct. 17, 2024

How impermanent we are in the arbitrary nature of existence.

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2024

Our digital life has become increasingly impermanent and is mostly outside of our control, making the threat and pain of digital loss ever more acute.

From Slate • Dec. 26, 2023

There may be a vast chapter in the development of art here that is largely lost to us simply because Neolithic artists worked in wood or other impermanent materials.

From "History of Art, Volume 1" by H.W. Janson