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Impermanence: meaning, definitions and examples

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impermanence

 

[ ɪmˈpɜːmənəns ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

philosophy

The state or quality of being temporary, changeable, or transient.

Synonyms

ephemerality, fleetingness, transience

Examples of usage

  • The concept of impermanence is a key tenet in Buddhist philosophy.
  • Impermanence reminds us to appreciate the present moment.
  • The impermanence of life is a central theme in many spiritual teachings.
Context #2 | Noun

nature

The tendency of things to change, evolve, or decay over time.

Synonyms

instability, mutability, transitoriness

Examples of usage

  • The impermanence of the seasons is a reminder of the cyclical nature of life.
  • Nature's impermanence can be seen in the changing colors of the leaves in autumn.
  • Impermanence is evident in the growth and decay of plants and animals.
Context #3 | Noun

art

The use of materials or techniques that are not intended to last indefinitely.

Synonyms

ephemerality, temporariness, transience

Examples of usage

  • The artist embraced impermanence by creating installations that decay over time.
  • Impermanence in art challenges traditional notions of permanence and value.
  • Some artists use impermanence as a metaphor for the fleeting nature of beauty.

Translations

Translations of the word "impermanence" in other languages:

🇵🇹 impermanência

🇮🇳 अनित्य

🇩🇪 Vergänglichkeit

🇮🇩 ketidakkekalan

🇺🇦 незмінність

🇵🇱 nietrwałość

🇯🇵 無常 (mujō)

🇫🇷 impermanence

🇪🇸 impermanencia

🇹🇷 geçicilik

🇰🇷 무상 (musang)

🇸🇦 عدم الدوام

🇨🇿 pomíjivost

🇸🇰 pominuteľnosť

🇨🇳 无常 (wúcháng)

🇸🇮 minljivost

🇮🇸 óvaranleiki

🇰🇿 өтпелілік

🇬🇪 არამდგრადობა

🇦🇿 müvəqqəti

🇲🇽 impermanencia

Etymology

The term 'impermanence' originates from the Latin word 'impermanens,' which means 'not lasting.' The concept of impermanence has been a central theme in various philosophies and spiritual traditions, such as Buddhism, Taoism, and Stoicism. It reflects the idea that nothing in the world is permanent or unchanging, emphasizing the transient nature of existence and the impermanence of all things. The recognition of impermanence is believed to lead to a deeper appreciation of the present moment and a greater acceptance of the inevitable changes in life.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,640, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.