perm

UK: /ˈpɜːm/

US: /pɝm/

US: 'perm': (pûrm); 'Perm': (pûrm, pârm; Russ. pyerm)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

perm /pɜrm/  [Informal.] n. [countable]

1. permanent (def. 4).

v. [~ + object]

2. to give a permanent to (someone, or one's hair):
   She had permed her hair in a curly style.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

perm  (pûrm), [Informal.]
n. 

1. Clothing permanent (def. 4).

v.t. 

2. Clothing to give (the hair) a permanent.

v.i. 

3. Clothing to apply a permanent to the hair.

• by shortening 1925–30

Perm  (pûrm, pârm; Russ. pyerm), n. 

1. Place Names a city in the E Russian Federation in Europe, on the Kama River. 1,091,000. Formerly, Molotov. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

perm / pɜːm/ noun

1. a hairstyle produced by treatment with heat, chemicals, etc which gives long-lasting waves, curls, or other shaping
   Also called (esp formerly): permanent wave

verb

1. (transitive) to give a perm to (hair)

perm / pɜːm/ noun

1. short for permutation4

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

Perm / pjermj/ noun

1. a port in W Russia, on the Kama River: oil refinery; university (1916). Pop: 984 000 (2005 est)
   Former name (1940–62): Molotov