perm

¹

[purm]

noun

1. permanent.

verb (used with object)

1. to give (the hair) a permanent.

verb (used without object)

1. to apply a permanent to the hair.

Perm

²

[purm, pairm, pyerm]

noun

1. a city in the E Russian Federation in Europe, on the Kama River.

perm

¹

/ pɜːm /

noun

1. Also called (esp formerly): permanent wave. a hairstyle produced by treatment with heat, chemicals, etc which gives long-lasting waves, curls, or other shaping

2. the act of giving or receiving such a hairstyle

verb

1. (tr) to give a perm to (hair)

Perm

²

/ pjermj /

noun

1. Former name (1940–62): Molotov. a port in W Russia, on the Kama River: oil refinery; university (1916). Pop: 984 000 (2005 est)

perm

³

/ pɜːm /

noun

1. short for permutation

Word History and Origins

Origin of perm¹

First recorded in 1925–30; by shortening

Example Sentences

He quickly apologizes for his hair — in all of its shaggy, slightly curled glory — as he combs his fingers through it: “I’ve got a perm. Life is good.”

From Los Angeles Times

Backed by dancers dressed as rodeo clowns, Roan - herself wearing a sequinned cowboy hat and sparkly boots - rode a a giant pink carousel pony, complete with an 80s perm.

From BBC

"He looks better. Much cooler in terms of perm and with regard to chain."

From Salon

By the eighth inning, a customer had canceled her perm appointment with Kanno, allowing him to watch the game slip away from the Dodgers.

From Los Angeles Times

It's fire though because it's like I'm older than you, but just the conversations around perms and around hair has changed.

From Salon