Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
non-permanent

non-permanent

3.8
Lasting only for a short time
  • adjective
  • /nɒnˈpɜːrmənt/
translation icon : temporal
  • The organization offered non-permanent contracts to seasonal employees.

Examples

  • She used a non-permanent marker to write on the whiteboard.

  • Many students found non-permanent housing while searching for a long-term place to stay.

  • This is a non-permanent solution.

  • The non-permanent markers are easy to erase.

  • The organization offered non-permanent contracts to seasonal employees.

  • She used a non-permanent marker to write on the whiteboard.

  • Many students found non-permanent housing while searching for a long-term place to stay.

Synonyms

temporary
vsnon-permanent
557 3.0

Lasting for a short time and not permanent

is the more general two-word form used to mean limited duration
short-term
vsnon-permanent
225 3.3

Lasting only for a little time

is the broader general term that covers limited duration in many contexts
fleeting
vsnon-permanent
66 6.3

Lasting only a short time

is the general limited duration concept rather than emphasizing extreme brevity
short-lived
vsnon-permanent
49 3.9

Lasting only for a short time

is the general label for limited duration, not specifically about brief lifespan
transient
vsnon-permanent
38 7.0

Lasting only a short time and not permanent

is the broader concept of limited duration rather than brief passing states
ephemeral
vsnon-permanent
17 8.6

Lasting only a very short time

is the broader idea of not lasting, not focused only on very short time
transitory
vsnon-permanent
11 6.8

Lasting only a short time

is the overall term for limited duration without stressing extreme shortness
impermanent
vsnon-permanent
2 6.5

Lasting only for a short time

is the neutral compound phrasing that expresses limited duration generally
semipermanent
vsnon-permanent
1 4.9

Lasts for a fairly long time but not forever

is the shorter duration idea rather than implying a relatively long period
nonpersistent
vsnon-permanent
1 6.0

Not lasting for a long time

is the general idea of limited duration rather than highlighting broken continuation
nonsustained
vsnon-permanent
6.6

Ending quickly and lasting only a short time

is the broader description of limited duration rather than failed maintenance

Antonyms

permanent
650 3.2

Continuing for a long time and unlikely to change

How Permanent

permanent
650 3.2
temporary
557 3.0
non-permanent
3.8
ephemeral
17 8.6

Surface Forms

non-permanent positive
non-permanenter comparative
non-permanentest superlative

Morphology

non-permanent = permanent (transparent) = non + permanent

The prefix 'non-' straightforwardly negates 'permanent', yielding the meaning 'not lasting', which an average learner can derive.

Etymology

Non-permanent is made from the prefix non- meaning 'not' and permanent, which comes from parts per- 'through' and manere 'to stay'. So non-permanent means 'not lasting' and is used for something temporary or not meant to stay forever.