permanent
[ pur-muh-nuhnt ]
/ ˈpɜr mə nənt /
Save This Word!
adjective
existing perpetually; everlasting, especially without significant change.
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.
long-lasting or nonfading: permanent pleating; permanent ink.
noun
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.
QUIZZES
THINK YOU’VE GOT A HANDLE ON THIS US STATE NICKNAME QUIZ?
Did you ever collect all those state quarters? Put them to good use on this quiz about curious state monikers and the facts around them.
Question 1 of 8
Mississippi’s nickname comes from the magnificent trees that grow there. What is it?
Origin of permanent
OTHER WORDS FROM permanent
Words nearby permanent
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for permanent
British Dictionary definitions for permanent
permanent
/ (ˈpɜːmənənt) /
adjective
existing or intended to exist for an indefinite perioda permanent structure
not expected to change for an indefinite time; not temporarya permanent condition
Derived forms of permanent
permanently, adverbWord Origin for permanent
C15: from Latin permanens continuing, from permanēre to stay to the end, from per- through + manēre to remain
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