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

• impermanence
  noun
• impermanency
  noun
• impermanently
  adverb

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

Now the Italian artist-musician-programmer Quayola unites the two media in “Transient: Impermanent Paintings,” an Artechouse exhibition.

From Washington Post • Feb. 18, 2022

He who relies on the Impermanent, And, being strong, attempts to crush the weak, Will soon break down.

From The Buddha A Drama in Five Acts and Four Interludes by Carus, Paul

Impermanent, but beautiful to me, they lit a fair horizon.

From Caught by the Turks by Yeats-Brown, Francis