permanent

UK: /ˈpɜː^rmənənt/ US: /ˈpɝmənənt/ ,(pûr′mə nənt)

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

per•ma•nent /ˈpɜrmənənt/   adj. 

1. existing and not stopping;
   everlasting.
2. intended to serve, function, etc., for a long period:
   a member of the permanent faculty.
3. long-lasting or nonfading:
   permanent ink.

n. [countable]

4. Clothing Also called ˈper•ma•nent ˈwave. a wave or curl set into the hair by treating it with chemicals or heat:
   Her permanent lasted for a number of months.

per•ma•nent•ly, adv.: 

permanently attached.

See -man-².

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

per•ma•nent  (pûr′mə nənt), adj. 

1. existing perpetually;
   everlasting, esp. without significant change.
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.

n. 

4. Clothing Also called per′manent 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.

• Latin permanent- (stem of permanēns), present participle of permanēre to remain. See per-, remain, -ent
• late Middle English 1400–50

per′ma•nent•ly, adv. 
per′ma•nent•ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. stable, invariable, constant.

Antonyms

• 1. temporary; inconstant.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

permanent / 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

Etymology: 15th Century: from Latin permanens continuing, from permanēre to stay to the end, from per- through + manēre to remain