permanent
Americanadjective
-
existing perpetually; everlasting, especially without significant change.
- Synonyms:
- constant, invariable, stable
- Antonyms:
- inconstant, temporary
-
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.
-
long-lasting or nonfading.
permanent pleating; permanent ink.
noun
adjective
-
existing or intended to exist for an indefinite period
a permanent structure
-
not expected to change for an indefinite time; not temporary
a permanent condition
Other Word Forms
- nonpermanent adjective
- nonpermanently adverb
- permanently adverb
- permanentness noun
- pseudopermanent adjective
- quasi-permanent adjective
- quasi-permanently adverb
- subpermanent adjective
- subpermanently adverb
- unpermanent adjective
- unpermanently adverb
Etymology
Origin of permanent
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin permanent-, stem of permanēns “remaining,” present participle of permanēre “to remain”; per-, remain
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Since then, Spurs have sacked three permanent managers, while Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta - in charge for the past six years - has developed his side into consistent title contenders.
From BBC
In one case agents questioned a grandmother — a lawful permanent resident — about why she went to a casino, according to her grandson.
From Los Angeles Times
Flippases such as MurJ move molecules by alternately exposing them to each side of the membrane without forming a permanent opening.
From Science Daily
With generous federal estate-tax exemptions made permanent in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act last year, trusts that were created years ago to shield wealth from onerous federal estate taxes may be obsolete.
From Barron's
These include making most migrants wait for up to 10 years - rather than the current five – before being able to apply for permanent residence, with refugees waiting for up to 20 years.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
