PERMANENT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does permanent mean? 

• PERMANENT (noun)
  The noun PERMANENT has 1 sense:

1. a series of waves in the hair made by applying heat and chemicals

  Familiarity information: PERMANENT used as a noun is very rare.

• PERMANENT (adjective)
  The adjective PERMANENT has 2 senses:

1. continuing or enduring without marked change in status or condition or place

2. not capable of being reversed or returned to the original condition

  Familiarity information: PERMANENT used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PERMANENT (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A series of waves in the hair made by applying heat and chemicals

Classified under:

Nouns denoting body parts

Synonyms:

perm; permanent; permanent wave

Hypernyms ("permanent" is a kind of...):

wave (a hairdo that creates undulations in the hair)

Derivation:

permanent (continuing or enduring without marked change in status or condition or place)

• PERMANENT (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Continuing or enduring without marked change in status or condition or place

Synonyms:

lasting; permanent

Context example:

literature of permanent value

Similar:

abiding; enduring; imperishable (lasting a long time)

aeonian; ageless; eonian; eternal; everlasting; perpetual; unceasing; unending (continuing forever or indefinitely)

indissoluble (used of decisions and contracts)

standing (not created for a particular occasion)

Also:

unchangeable (not changeable or subject to change)

ineradicable (not able to be destroyed or rooted out)

stable (resistant to change of position or condition)

Attribute:

permanence; permanency (the property of being able to exist for an indefinite duration)

Antonym:

impermanent (not permanent; not lasting)

Derivation:

permanence; permanency (the property of being able to exist for an indefinite duration)

permanent (a series of waves in the hair made by applying heat and chemicals)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Not capable of being reversed or returned to the original condition

Context example:

permanent brain damage

Similar:

irreversible (incapable of being reversed)

 Context examples 

The research team found little to no increase in breast cancer risk for semi-permanent or temporary dye use.

(Permanent hair dye and straighteners may increase breast cancer risk, National Institutes of Health)

These diets rarely lead to permanent weight loss and often don't provide all of the nutrients your body needs.

(Diets, NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)

A brain structure called the hippocampus is widely thought to turn new information into permanent memories while we sleep.

(Study shows how memories ripple through the brain, National Institutes of Health)

In some cases, damage is permanent.

(Brain Diseases, NIH)

UV radiation or heat is usually applied to make the transferred patterns permanent.

(Nanoimprinting, NCI Thesaurus)

This can help permanent teeth to come in properly.

(Orthodontia, NIH)

The planet is so close to its star, the same side of the planet always faces the star, such that the planet has permanent day and night sides.

(Lava or Not, Exoplanet 55 Cancri e Likely to have Atmosphere, NASA)

Early diagnosis and treatment are important to prevent permanent nerve damage.

(Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)

Permanent brain damage or death can happen quickly.

(CPR, NIH)

With early diagnosis, treatment can begin right away, before serious problems can occur or become permanent.

(Newborn Screening, NIH: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development)