Work and business / B2

PURM-uh-n-uh-nt/ˈpɜːmənənt/

Permanent means lasting, not temporary: a permanent contract, permanent damage, a permanent post. Lasting is everyday; temporary and fixed-term are opposites in work. Permanently is the adverb. In speech, for good / lasting is enough. Do not call a two-year visa permanent, and in employment UK English permanent vs temporary is a core contrast (also: permanent secretary is a civil-service title).

Meaning

Lasting for a long time or for ever; not temporary.

Examples

• “She was offered a permanent contract after the probation period.”
• “She was made permanent after probation, which is the contract sense.”
• “The flood left permanent staining on the archive boxes, which is the damage sense.”

Good to know

a permanent contract / post / change. Opposite: temporary / fixed-term. Everyday: lasting / for good. Not a two-year visa.

Near in meaning

lasting

Topics

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