permanent
Americanadjective
-
existing perpetually; everlasting, especially without significant change.
- Synonyms:
- constant, invariable, stable
- Antonyms:
- inconstant, temporary
-
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
adjective
-
existing or intended to exist for an indefinite period
a permanent structure
-
not expected to change for an indefinite time; not temporary
a permanent condition
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of permanent
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin permanent-, stem of permanēns “remaining,” present participle of permanēre “to remain”; see per-, remain
Explanation
Something that’s permanent is constant and lasting, as opposed to temporary. Think twice about writing in permanent marker or getting a tattoo — both are just about impossible to erase. If you wait around for something permanent to change, you'll be there for a long time — maybe forever. That's because the adjective permanent is used to describe something that continues on into the foreseeable future without shifting, moving, or changing at all. You might also come across the noun permanent, which refers to a chemical treatment used to curl your hair. But please know that "perms" aren't really cool anymore.
Vocabulary lists containing permanent
Ten Words related to Citizenship
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This Week in Words: Current Events Vocab for February 26–March 4, 2022
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"The Ugly One," Vocabulary from Chapters 1-5
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
And in the huge market basement below will be galleries featuring permanent displays called Past Time, which will provide an overview of London's history through chronological and thematic displays.
From BBC • Jun. 18, 2026
In the longer term, the full reintegration of Iran into global oil markets will depend on the U.S. waivers turning into permanent sanctions relief.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 18, 2026
Claire Salinda: Your composition captures flowers, chamoy and other candies and fruit sumptuously arranged in and around a ceramic jar from LACMA’s permanent collection.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 17, 2026
Except in Citizenship by Investment countries that grant rapid citizenship in return for a six-figure “donation,” eligibility can often take up to 10 years of combined temporary and permanent residency.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 17, 2026
Whoever it was probably was just trying to figure out if that much glitter on her eyelids causes any permanent damage.
From "A Good Kind of Trouble" by Lisa Moore Ramée
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
