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

Such faith—or a cynical appeal to it—likewise inspires us to cling amid the ruins to our unintentional, impermanent liberation of women in Afghanistan.

From Time

The laws of physics are the primary explanation for that natural tendency for things to be impermanent.

From Nautilus

Fluxus artists sought to upend what art could be — making works that were impermanent, unfinished, participatory and event-based.

From Washington Post

Observe them as impermanent mind events and not necessarily accurate.

From Nautilus

American artist Pae White is fascinated with the idea of turning something transient and impermanent into something real.

From The Daily Beast

It was not his fault if at first some extremely unsound and impermanent shanties were run up on the vacant site.

From Project Gutenberg

Professor Baker "tries in the light of historical practice to distinguish the permanent from the impermanent in technic."

From Project Gutenberg

In fact, it wasn't solid anything, being mostly of a very impermanent structure and style.

From Project Gutenberg

Under his protection Mrs. Vervain set up her impermanent household gods.

From Project Gutenberg

Gautama Buddha taught that everything corporeal is material and therefore impermanent.

From Project Gutenberg