impermanent — not lasting forever; temporary or transient
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: not lasting forever; temporary or transient
Pronunciation (IPA): /ɪmˈpɜːrmənənt/
Example Sentences
- My diet plan turned out to be as impermanent as a snowman in summer.
- The impermanent tattoo lasted longer than my last relationship.
- Buddhism teaches that all things in life are impermanent.
impermanent
ADJECTIVE[/ɪmˈpɜːrmənənt/]
not lasting forever; temporary or transient
Sand mandala monks brush away their impermanent masterpiece after weeks of work.
Nothing permanent survives the current - all things are impermanent.
Got the picture? Now let's practice.
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The word derives from Latin 'permanere' (to endure, to last), with the negative prefix 'im-' attached to create the meaning 'not lasting' or 'not enduring'. This formation reflects a philosophical concept that things appearing eternal are ultimately transient.
Breakdown
im- (not) + permanere (to endure, from per- meaning through + manere meaning to remain). The suffix -ent forms an adjective meaning 'not remaining or lasting through time'.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My diet plan turned out to be as impermanent as a snowman in summer.”
“The impermanent tattoo lasted longer than my last relationship.”
“Buddhism teaches that all things in life are impermanent.”
“The company offered only impermanent positions to new graduates.”
📚Related Words
Want to master 27,000+ words?
Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.