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permanent

permanent

650 3.2
Continuing for a long time and unlikely to change
  • adjective
  • /ˈpɜrmənənt/
translation icon : permanente
  • They signed a lease for a permanent apartment in the city.
  • permanent changes
  • temporary or permanent
  • permanent housing

But I want it to be a permanent reward.

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Examples

  • I can offer you a permanent position.

  • She found a permanent job that would provide stability for her family.

  • But once they launched, it was permanent for three decades.

  • Sorry about that, but we can offer you a permanent job here in services.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Like it or not, Vietnam is now a permanent fact of my life.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • The hatred that had long existed between Court and Country he regarded as a permanent feature.

    Academic text (2011)
  • About 90% of those who survive a stroke will be left with a permanent disability.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Several heart attacks had left him with a permanent pallor that tore at Susan's heart.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • The artist's work has been displayed in a permanent exhibition at the gallery.

Synonyms

eternal
vspermanent
362 4.3

Lasting forever without end

is about long term stability rather than implying timeless beyond time
constant
vspermanent
360 2.7

Stays the same over time

is about continuing through time rather than emphasizing unchanging uniformity
lifelong
vspermanent
167 3.5

Lasting for a person's whole life

denotes duration limited to one individual's time alive rather than general long term
perpetual
vspermanent
93 5.8

Lasting for a very long time without stopping

is meant to last a very long time and resist change
static
vspermanent
45 3.8

Not moving or changing over time

relates to duration but focuses more on lack of movement than long term persistence
everlasting
vspermanent
39 4.5

Lasting forever without end

is intended to last long but may not stress literal never ending
lasting
vspermanent
38 3.1

Continuing to be present or useful for a long time

is about long term existence but allows gradual change or eventual end
long-lasting
vspermanent
27 3.7

To stay the same or work well for a long time

refers to long duration generally rather than resisting all possible change
long-lived
vspermanent
6 3.9

That lasts for a long time

means long duration but often applies mainly to organisms or durable items
ageless
vspermanent
5 5.7

Continuing to be important or true for a very long time

focuses on long duration or resistance to change rather than timeless look
enduring
vspermanent
1 4.2

Continuing for a long time without fading

emphasizes lasting persistence but does not require lasting without end
perdurable
vspermanent
  • Formal
1 9.9

Lasts for a very long time without wearing out

means long lasting generally and focuses less on extreme material durability
long-wearing
vspermanent
1 3.7

Able to last a long time without breaking or fading

refers to lasting for long periods generally not specifically resisting physical wear
agelong
vspermanent
  • Archaic
8.4

Lasting for a very long time

indicates long term existence but does not always mean endless forever
nontransient
vspermanent
7.7

Lasting for a long time and not temporary

focuses on not being temporary rather than promising endless or infinite time

Antonyms

557 3.0

Lasting for a short time and not permanent

2 6.5

Lasting only for a short time

Compounds

2 8.3

A court order that stops a person or company from doing something forever

An adult tooth that replaces a baby one and should last most of life

permanent magnet
  • Specialized
1 3.8

A magnet that stays magnetic without electricity

Clothing made to resist wrinkles and keep its shape after washing

A long-lasting set of curls in hair made with heat and chemicals

Fabric made to stay smooth after washing and not need ironing

A long-lasting treatment that removes facial hair and needs little care

How Permanent

eternal
362 4.3
permanent
650 3.2
lasting
38 3.1
temporary
557 3.0
short-lived
49 3.9

Surface Forms

permanent positive

Etymology

Permanent comes from Latin parts per- 'completely' and manere 'to remain', like the English word remain, so it means to 'stay' for a long time and not change.