perm

noun
\ ˈpərm How to pronounce perm (audio) \

Definition of perm

 (Entry 1 of 2)

perm

verb
permed; perming; perms

Definition of perm (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to give (hair) a permanent wave

Examples of perm in a Sentence

Noun

She got a perm last week.

Verb

She got her hair permed at the salon.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Services offered include color, cuts, extension, weaves, wigs, crochet, eyelash extensions, keratin treatments, relaxers, perms, makeup, men’s and kid cuts, massage, and more. Quoron Walker, courant.com, "TouchByJ Hair by Jeicoby Salon Celebrates Four Years, Expands," 19 July 2019 In the simplest terms, a lash lift is a perm for your lashes that shapes them into the perfect eye-opening curl. Bella Cacciatore, Glamour, "I Got a Lash Lift, and It’s as Life Changing as Everyone Says," 8 July 2019 Morales grew up in San Antonio with a mother who also was a hair dresser and fell in love with styling hair the moment her mother first came home smelling of a perm. René A. Guzman, ExpressNews.com, "The Jefferson-area salon cutting and curling for 71 years, Vee’s Hair and Spa," 26 June 2019 Students in the hairdressing and cosmetology department offer cuts and colors and perms. Denise Coffey, courant.com, "Ellis Tech Grads Urged To Do Their Best," 17 June 2019 Water can turn their professional perms into curly Afros. Byron Mccauley, Cincinnati.com, "The fatal drowning rate for black kids is stark. History is part of that.," 13 June 2019 With everything ‘80s making a comeback, the perm could be next—but as usual, animals are way ahead of us. Liz Langley, National Geographic, "Curly-haired pigs and other animals with natural waves," 3 Apr. 2019 Once there, women often spring for cuts, perms, straightening, and other treatments. Longreads, "True Roots," 5 June 2019 With his perm, soothing voice and chambray shirts unbuttoned nearly to the navel, Mr. Ross was an instantly recognizable hit. Kelly Crow, WSJ, "A Renaissance for Bob Ross: Fans Want the ‘Joy of Painting’ Host to Have a Spot in Art History," 21 Aug. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

That's why most salons won't perm lightened hair, because it's already damaged from color treatments. Erin Reimel, Glamour, "I Got a Perm (Yes, a Perm) in Search of Perfect Beach Waves," 23 Mar. 2019 The sloped shape of it serves to give your lashes a curved shape to form to when slathered in perming lotion. Sable Yong, Allure, "I Got a Lash Lift — Which Is Basically a Perm For Your Eyelashes," 23 July 2018 In fact, between talking about haircuts and cold waves — a technique being taught to perm hair that uses a cold chemical wash over rollers — many took the opportunity to share their more-pressing concerns with us. refinery29.com, "Makeup in Lockup: Beauty, Power, & Danger in Women's Prisons," 2 June 2018 Hair was permed and teased-out, blush was blindingly bright and angled on sharply, eye shadow was contoured, and mascara was coated on with a heavy hand — and all of these together would have constituted a look. Hannah Morrill, Allure, "9 Beauty Looks Inspired by the ‘80s That You’ll Want to Wear Now," 16 Feb. 2018 In 2016, Pantene (owned by P&G) launched Gold Series, a mix of products for natural, permed, and transitioning hair. Jessica Cruel, SELF, "The Beauty Aisle Is Segregated—and I’m OK With That," 2 Feb. 2018 Check all that apply: My hair is dyed, chemically straightened, permed, braided/in locs, has extensions. Dyed. Ashley Weatherford, The Cut, "The Secret to This Mile-Long Hair Is Drugstore Shampoo and Conditioner," 25 Oct. 2017 In the ’90s, Mario Lopez‘s curly permed hair from Saved By The Bell was the height of hair achievement. Kaitlyn Frey, PEOPLE.com, "Eva Longoria Thinks Mario Lopez's 'Wig Is a Little Too Puffy' - and He Wants You to Weigh In," 13 Oct. 2017 In Nebraska, can a parent without a proper license perm their child’s hair? Carolyn Kellogg, latimes.com, "Books: Lost in Korean-English translation, another winner from Celeste Ng, science fiction and more," 23 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'perm.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of perm

Noun

1927, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1928, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for perm

perm

noun

English Language Learners Definition of perm

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: a process in which someone's hair is curled and treated with chemicals so that it remains curly for a long time

perm

verb

English Language Learners Definition of perm (Entry 2 of 2)

: to make (hair) curly for a long time by using chemicals : to give a perm to (hair)