impermanent

[ im-pur-muh-nuhnt ]

adjective

1. not permanent or enduring; transitory.

   Synonyms: evanescent, ephemeral, temporary, fleeting

impermanent

/ ɪmˈpɜːmənənt /

adjective

1. not permanent; fleeting; transitory

Derived Forms

• imˈpermanently, adverb
• imˈpermanence, noun

Other Words From

• im·per·ma·nence im·per·ma·nen·cy noun
• im·per·ma·nent·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of impermanent¹

First recorded in 1645–55; im- ² + permanent

Example Sentences

Without moral transformation, political changes to laws and leaders would be impermanent and vulnerable to backsliding.

From Salon

But just like a bright impermanent star, the young, wide-eyed boys turned industry-downtrodden men burned out in 2016.

From Salon

The city, like its residents, is impermanent, always shape-shifting, always on the verge of becoming something else.

From Los Angeles Times

How impermanent we are in the arbitrary nature of existence.

From Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles, like its residents, is impermanent, always shape-shifting, always on the verge of becoming something else.

From Los Angeles Times