permanence
gb/pˈɚmənəns/ us/pˈɚmənəns/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
C1
property
1
the quality of lasting
the quality of lasting for a long time and not changing or ending
Usage pattern:
the permanence of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse permanence (lasting) with permission (allowing).
Synonyms
durability (often used for physical things that can withstand wear.)
|
stability (emphasizes not changing or being upset.)
|
lastingness (a close, more literal synonym but less common.)
Antonyms
impermanence (the state of not lasting; temporary nature.)
|
temporariness (emphasizes that something is only for a short time.)
Collocations
a sense of permanence
|an air of permanence
|seek permanence
|offer permanence
|need permanence
|lack permanence
|the permanence of a decision
|the permanence of a change
|the permanence of a relationship
|the permanence of a solution
Themes
daily_life
|time
|relationships
Examples
- After years of moving around, she wanted the permanence of owning a home.
- Signing the contract gave the project a feeling of permanence.
- They worried about the permanence of the decision once it was made public.
Learner examples
- I want more permanence in my life.
- This change may not have permanence.
Noun
technical
C2
property
2
resistance to fading or decay
how well a color or material stays the same and does not fade
Usage pattern:
the permanence of [ink/paint/paper/photo]
Common mistake:
Learners may use permanent when they mean long-lasting (durable); in art, permanence specifically relates to fading and aging.
Synonyms
lightfastness (more specific: resistance to fading from light exposure.)
|
archival quality (emphasizes suitability for long-term storage and preservation.)
Antonyms
fading (loss of color or clarity over time.)
|
instability (tendency to change chemically or degrade.)
Collocations
color permanence
|ink permanence
|pigment permanence
|print permanence
|image permanence
|lightfastness and permanence
|test the permanence
|improve permanence
|poor permanence
|archival permanence
Themes
art
|materials
|technology
Examples
- The label claims the ink has excellent permanence on paper.
- Museum staff choose pigments for their permanence under light.
- The photograph lost detail because the dyes had poor permanence.
Learner examples
- This paint has good permanence.
- The colors faded because the ink had low permanence.
Noun
business
C1
state
3
permanent employment status
having a job that is not temporary
Usage pattern:
gain/permanence in [a job/role/organization]
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse permanence where job security is more natural in everyday conversation.
Synonyms
tenure (often used in education or formal institutions, implying protected status.)
|
job security (broader: confidence that a job will continue, even without formal permanence.)
Antonyms
temporary work (work for a limited period rather than ongoing employment.)
|
precariousness (lack of stability; risk of losing the job.)
Collocations
gain permanence
|achieve permanence
|offer permanence
|permanence in a post
|permanence in office
|lack of permanence
|promise of permanence
|move toward permanence
|grant permanence
|permanence of employment
Themes
work
|business
|education
Examples
- After a year on contract, she was finally granted permanence.
- The policy reduced permanence by increasing the number of short-term roles.
- He accepted a lower salary in exchange for permanence in the position.
Learner examples
- I want permanence in my job.
- She got permanence after her probation period.
Grammar
Dictionary form
permanence
IPA
GB/pˈɚmənəns/
US/pˈɚmənəns/
Syllables & stress
per - man - ence (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (per)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: permanence
- Plural: permanence
Word family
Core family
permanent
adjective B1
permanently
adverb B1
Negative and opposite forms
impermanence
noun
impermanent
adjective C1
Advanced or less common
permanency
noun
Expressions
air of permanence
1/ˈɛɹ əv pˈɚmənəns/
fixed phrase
impression of being lasting
a feeling that something looks permanent
Examples
- The stone steps gave the entrance an air of permanence.
- Even a small renovation can add an air of permanence to the space.
- The pop-up shop tried to project an air of permanence.
permanence of vision
1/pˈɚmənəns əv vˈɪʒən/
fixed phrase
technical
images briefly linger in the eye
the way your eyes keep an image for a moment after it disappears
Examples
- Early filmmakers explained motion pictures using the permanence of vision.
- The illusion relies on the viewer’s permanence of vision and rapid frame changes.
sense of permanence
1/sˈɛns əv pˈɚmənəns/
fixed phrase
feeling that something will last
a feeling that something will not change soon
Examples
- Planting trees gave the yard a sense of permanence.
- They wanted their children to grow up with a sense of permanence.
- The temporary offices never created a sense of permanence for staff.