permanent

permanent — adjective

1. continuing for many years or for life, or staying in a form that will not be cha

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

continuing for many years or for life, or staying in a form that will not be changed back or removed

Example

The surgery left a permanent scar above Leo's left eyebrow.

collocation: permanent scar

Marta used a permanent marker to label every box in the garage.

collocation: permanent marker

Common collocations
  • permanent scar
  • permanent marker
  • permanent change
  • permanent damage
  • permanent sign
Synonyms
  • lasting

    Also about continuing a long time, but it does not always suggest forever or an unchangeable result.

  • enduring

    More formal, often stressing strength through time.

  • irreversible

    Narrower; used when a change cannot be changed back.

  • indelible

    Narrower and more formal, especially for marks, ink, or memories.

Antonyms

Usage Note

Often used with results, marks, or damage that cannot be undone. Distinguish from adjective/2: this sense focuses on long-lasting effect, not on something being regularly present in a place or role.

Common Mistakes

We need a forever solution.
We need a permanent solution.
forever is not normally used as an adjective before a noun.

2. present, available, or set up all the time instead of only for a short period or

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

present, available, or set up all the time instead of only for a short period or one occasion

Example

After six months, Hana was offered a permanent job at the bakery.

collocation: permanent job

The museum has a permanent exhibition beside the main stairs.

collocation: permanent exhibition

Common collocations
  • permanent job
  • permanent exhibition
  • permanent doctor
  • permanent room
  • permanent toilets
Synonyms
  • fixed

    Suggests something set in one arrangement or position.

  • standing

    More formal; often used for arrangements or orders that stay in force.

  • established

    Stresses that something has been officially created or kept in place.

Antonyms
  • temporary

    Present only for a short time.

  • visiting

    Used for a person or service that is there only from time to time.

Usage Note

Common with jobs, staff, displays, rooms, and facilities. Distinguish from adjective/1: this sense is about something being in place all the time, not about a mark or change that cannot be undone.

Common Mistakes

We have a permanent meeting every Monday.
We have a regular meeting every Monday.
permanent means fixed and ongoing, not simply repeated on a schedule.

permanent — noun

Word family

  • permanently
    adverbB2
  • permanence
    nounC1
  • impermanent
    adjectiveC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

For adjective/1, permanent is the broad everyday word. It describes something that stays for good, or a change that does not go back to the old state. Lasting also suggests a long time, but it can be less absolute. Enduring is more formal and often stresses strength through time. Irreversible is narrower: it focuses on a change that cannot be changed back, especially in medicine, science, or policy. Indelible is narrower still and is mainly used for marks, ink, or memories that cannot be removed. A useful way to remember them is: 'The accident left a permanent scar,' but 'Her kindness made a lasting impression.'

lastingenduringirreversibleindelible ↗

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

'Permanent' comes from a Latin verb meaning 'remain to the end' or 'keep continuing'. It passed through French before becoming an English adjective and noun. The central idea has stayed the same: something remains instead of passing away.