permanent

[pur-muh-nuhnt]

adjective

1. existing perpetually; everlasting, especially without significant change.

   Synonyms: constant, invariable, stable
   Antonyms: inconstant, temporary

2. intended to exist or function for a long, indefinite period without regard to unforeseeable conditions.

   a permanent employee; the permanent headquarters of the United Nations.

3. long-lasting or nonfading.

   permanent pleating; permanent ink.

noun

1. Also called permanent wave. a wave or curl that is set into the hair by the application of a special chemical preparation and that remains for a number of months.

permanent

/ ˈpɜːmənənt /

adjective

1. existing or intended to exist for an indefinite period

   a permanent structure

2. not expected to change for an indefinite time; not temporary

   a permanent condition

Other Word Forms

• permanently adverb
• permanentness noun
• nonpermanent adjective
• nonpermanently adverb
• pseudopermanent adjective
• quasi-permanent adjective
• quasi-permanently adverb
• subpermanent adjective
• subpermanently adverb
• unpermanent adjective
• unpermanently adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of permanent¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin permanent-, stem of permanēns “remaining,” present participle of permanēre “to remain”; per-, remain

Word History and Origins

Origin of permanent¹

C15: from Latin permanens continuing, from permanēre to stay to the end, from per- through + manēre to remain

Example Sentences

The company operates out of a modest studio in Silver Lake with two soundstages: one a permanent set for “Dimension 20” and the other rotating between several of its shows.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“Rare earths and permanent magnets are key elements for practically everything with any digital element in it,” Sefcovic said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The report's author, Nathan Ruser, told AFP it was "shocking" that syndicates have been given "such a permanent, established infrastructure" for smuggling "construction materials, goods and the trafficking of people".

Read more on Barron's

Globally, deforestation is overwhelmingly driven by the expansion of permanent agriculture, which accounted for 85 percent of all forest loss over the past decade.

Read more on Barron's

That means ditching permanent refugee status and other features of the old Gaza that was built by the United Nations to keep alive the dream of destroying Israel.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• durable 
• enduring 
• long-lasting 
• perpetual 
• stable