noun
Uncommon
perm
purm
Perm (noun) means a hairstyle created by chemically treating hair to make it curly. Example: “She got a perm before the wedding to add volume to her hair.”
noun
1
A hairstyle created by chemically treating hair to make it curly.
"She got a perm before the wedding to add volume to her hair."
verb
1
To give hair long-lasting curls using chemicals and heat.
"The stylist permed her hair in under two hours."
How to use perm
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA long-lasting curly hairstyle, or the act of creating one chemically.
Common pairings
get a perm
perm your hair
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Word forms
- Plural
- perms
- Third person singular
- perms
- Past tense
- permed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She got a _____ before the wedding to add volume to her hair.
Etymology
A shortening of "permanent," since the curls were meant to last.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for perm
See all rhymes for perm →Frequently asked questions
What does “perm” mean?
The word “perm” means a hairstyle created by chemically treating hair to make it curly. In plain terms, a long-lasting curly hairstyle, or the act of creating one chemically.
How do you pronounce “perm”?
“Perm” is pronounced purm (/pɝm/ in IPA).
How do you use “perm” in a sentence?
Here is “perm” used in a sentence: “She got a perm before the wedding to add volume to her hair.”
What part of speech is “perm”?
Depending on how it is used, “perm” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “perm” a common word?
“Perm” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “perm” have?
“Perm” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a hairstyle created by chemically treating hair to make it curly.
