perm

¹ American  

[purm] / pɜrm /

noun

1. permanent.

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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 American  

[purm, pairm, pyerm] / pɜrm, pɛərm, pyɛrm /

noun

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

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perm ¹ British  

/ 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

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verb

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

Perm ² British  

/ 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)

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perm ³ British  

/ pɜːm /

noun

1. short for permutation

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Etymology

Origin of perm

First recorded in 1925–30; by shortening

Explanation

A perm is a chemical treatment that curls your hair. Get a perm today and you'll still have curly hair next month! The word perm is shorthand for permanent wave. The earliest versions of perms were used on wigs, since the chemicals were too harsh for the human scalp. As the technique progressed, it briefly included electric heat and spools for winding the hair. Today's perms use chemicals and curlers — and nearly identical chemicals are used to straighten or relax curly hair. While perms were extremely popular in the 1980s, you don't see many people with perms today.

Example Sentences

But when she arrives at Iona’s apartment, Andie is shocked to see that a coiffed perm, light makeup, a sensible suit and a string of pearls have replaced her friend’s beehives and gelled spikes.

From Salon • Feb. 28, 2026

She immediately suggested they have ChatGPT generate a photo of him with a perm.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 5, 2026

"My fringe keeps receding and won't stay up, so I can't get a perm or use wax properly," says Lee Won-woo, 33, who lives in North Chungcheong province.

From BBC • Dec. 18, 2025

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 • Oct. 30, 2024

I get a big whiff of sour perm and heavy perfume smell.

From "Al Capone Does My Shirts" by Gennifer Choldenko