perm

noun

\ ˈpərm

Definition of perm

(Entry 1 of 2)

: permanent

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

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 Laura Ashley’s matching floral frocks in the brand’s late 1980s heyday, with matching perms, spring to mind. — Michelle Ruiz, WSJ, "Mommy-and-Me Style: Cute or Creepy?," 17 July 2018 Let this set from Korean store W Concept convince you to try the trend, no perm necessary. — Sarah Spellings, The Cut, "Would You Wear a Shorts Suit?," 13 July 2018 Having a perm allowed me to go dance, sweat, and not have to get my hair done the next day. — Jessica Chia, Allure, "Three Women Open Up About Embracing Their Natural Hair & Leaving Relaxers Behind," 20 June 2018 Emma Stone, actress and wearer of too many amazing hair looks to count, has a perm now. — Alyssa Hardy, Teen Vogue, "Emma Stone Gets a Perm With Her Makeup Artist Rachel Goodwin," 1 Feb. 2018 Celebrity Status Hair Salon is a family hair care salon offering barber and beauty services including cuts, color, perms and hair extensions. — Paul Gores, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Southridge Mall adding three new businesses in June," 30 May 2018 For me, this meant all out Barbie-style: 1985 perms, Bonnie Bell perfume, and Lip Smackers everywhere. — Tiffany Dodson, SELF, "12 Women Share the Beauty Secrets Their Mothers Taught Them," 11 May 2018 The 26-year-old actress stepped out in full '90s garb: a short perm, red ruffled blouse, high-waited red pants and pale pink sneakers, according to ET. — Julie Kosin, Harper's BAZAAR, "Margot Robbie Is Unrecognizable as Tonya Harding on the Set of Her New Movie," 23 Jan. 2017

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

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 In an early opening scene of The Deuce, premiering on HBO Sunday night, C.C. (Gary Carr) a smooth-talking, freshly-permed and curled pinstripe suit spots a fresh-faced white-girl to spit that talk. — Stephen A. Crockett, The Root, "From The Wire to The Deuce: David Simon, George Pelecanos and Lawrence Gilliard, Jr. Discuss HBO's Newest Series," 10 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.