permanent

American  

[pur-muh-nuhnt] / ˈpɜr mə nənt /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

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

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”; per-, remain

Example Sentences

Gen. Todd Blanche, Trump’s former personal criminal defense attorney, will serve as acting attorney general until a permanent replacement is named.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026

The Artemis program aims to return Americans to the lunar surface and establish a permanent moon presence, with Artemis IV targeting a 2028 landing.

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

Indexed universal life insurance is also being sold to a lot of young people who don’t have kids and who don’t need any type of permanent life insurance, Rice says.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

Doing so would make wartime changes in the strait permanent, inject a new price premium into oil markets and push the shipping industry down a perilous path.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

After spending the first eight years of my life bouncing from one town to another because of Mom’s job, I wanted a permanent home.

From "Clairboyance" by Kristiana Kahakauwila

Related Words

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