impermanence

[ im-pur-muh-nuhns ]

noun

1. the fact or quality of being temporary or short-lived:

   The novel poignantly explores the impermanence of childhood—the ebb and flow of memories and experiences that make up our disappearing past.

Word History and Origins

Origin of impermanence¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; equivalent to im- ²( def ) + permanence ( def )

Example Sentences

It's easy to see how the song's messages of impermanence and regret have been adapted to express the loss they've experienced over the last week.

From BBC

What a blessed lesson in the bliss of impermanence.

From Los Angeles Times

From the beginning, my life was steeped in the impermanence of renting, which mirrored the impermanence of our immigrant experience.

From Los Angeles Times

Disillusioned by the impermanence of life, Siddhartha engaged in six years of ascetic practice and attained enlightenment at the age of 35 in Bodh Gaya in northeast India.

From Seattle Times

The impermanence of movies amid the rise of streaming services is a worrisome phenomenon.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• anxiety
• fluctuation
• insecurity
• uncertainty
• volatility
• vulnerability
• weakness