The difference between Ephemeral and Permanent

When used as nouns, ephemeral means something which lasts for a short period of time, whereas permanent means a chemical hair treatment imparting or removing curliness, whose effects typically last for a period of weeks.

When used as adjectives, ephemeral means lasting for a short period of time, whereas permanent means without end, eternal.


Permanent is also verb with the meaning: to perm (the hair).

check bellow for the other definitions of Ephemeral and Permanent

  1. Ephemeral as a noun:

    Something which lasts for a short period of time.

  1. Ephemeral as an adjective:

    Lasting for a short period of time.

  2. Ephemeral as an adjective (biology):

    Existing for only one day, as with some flowers, insects, and diseases.

  3. Ephemeral as an adjective (geology, of a body of water):

    Usually dry, but filling with water for brief periods during and after precipitation.

  1. Permanent as an adjective:

    Without end, eternal.

    Examples:

    "Nothing in this world is truly permanent."

  2. Permanent as an adjective:

    Lasting for an indefinitely long time.

    Examples:

    "The countries are now locked in a permanent state of conflict."

  1. Permanent as a noun:

    A chemical hair treatment imparting or removing curliness, whose effects typically last for a period of weeks; a perm.

  2. Permanent as a noun (linear algebra, combinatorics):

    Given an n \times n matrix a_{ij} \,, the sum over all permutations \pi \, of \prod_{i=1}^n{a_{i\pi(i)}}.

  1. Permanent as a verb (transitive, dated):

    To perm (the hair).