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

“Mrs. Carter put a perm in my hair in ‘79.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

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.”

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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.

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

Read more on 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.

Read more on Los Angeles Times