Dictionary.com

perm

[ purm ]
/ pɜrm /
Informal.
SEE SYNONYMS FOR perm ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

permanent (def. 4).

verb (used with object)

to give (the hair) a permanent.

verb (used without object)

to apply a permanent to the hair.

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Origin of perm

First recorded in 1925–30; by shortening

Words nearby perm

perlite, Perlman, perlocution, perlocutionary, perlucidus, perm, perma-, permaculture, permadeath, permafrost, permafrost table

Definition for perm (2 of 2)

Perm
[ purm, pairm; Russian pyerm ]
/ pɜrm, pɛərm; Russian pyɛrm /

noun

a city in the E Russian Federation in Europe, on the Kama River.
Formerly Molotov.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to perm

permanent, permanent wave

Example sentences from the Web for perm

British Dictionary definitions for perm (1 of 3)

perm1
/ (pɜːm) /

noun

a hairstyle produced by treatment with heat, chemicals, etc which gives long-lasting waves, curls, or other shapingAlso called (esp formerly): permanent wave
the act of giving or receiving such a hairstyle

verb

(tr) to give a perm to (hair)

British Dictionary definitions for perm (2 of 3)

perm2
/ (pɜːm) /

noun

short for permutation (def. 4)

British Dictionary definitions for perm (3 of 3)

Perm
/ (Russian pjermj) /

noun

a port in W Russia, on the Kama River: oil refinery; university (1916). Pop: 984 000 (2005 est)Former name (1940–62): Molotov
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012