Regular vs. Permanent — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 3, 2024
Regular describes occurrences with consistent frequency, whereas permanent indicates a state or condition that lasts indefinitely without change.
Difference Between Regular and Permanent
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
'Regular' pertains to events or actions that happen at consistent intervals or are characterized by uniformity, such as regular meetings or regular maintenance. In contrast, 'permanent' refers to conditions or states that are intended to last indefinitely, like permanent residency or a permanent marker.
Regular activities or schedules are established to create predictability and routine, ensuring stability in day-to-day operations. Meanwhile, permanent states or decisions are made with the intent of them being irreversible, providing long-term stability or commitment.
The term 'regular' often applies to situations where consistency is key to functionality, such as regular health check-ups or regular updates to software. On the other hand, 'permanent' is used where change is either not desired or possible, such as permanent installations or permanent disabilities.
In regular arrangements, the emphasis is on repetition and frequency, which can be adjusted as required over time. Conversely, permanent conditions are typically fixed and not subject to alteration, emphasizing a lasting impact or presence.
Regular routines or procedures are essential for managing ongoing tasks efficiently, fostering habit and familiarity. Permanent solutions or statuses, however, are aimed at settling matters conclusively, often after consideration of their long-term effects and benefits.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Occurring at consistent intervals; not changing in pattern.
Lasting indefinitely without change; intended to be final.
Examples
Regular exercise, regular meetings.
Permanent marker, permanent residency.
Purpose
To establish routine and predictability.
To ensure longevity and continuity.
Flexibility
Can be adjusted or changed as needed.
Typically fixed and unchangeable.
Emphasis
On frequency and consistency.
On durability and indefinite status.
Compare with Definitions
Regular
Occurring at fixed intervals or predictable patterns.
She attends regular training sessions every week.
Permanent
Fixed in place or position.
The bench was cemented into the ground as a permanent fixture.
Regular
Common or usual in nature.
It's regular for him to have coffee at eight in the morning.
Permanent
Long-lasting effect or impression.
His inspiring speech left a permanent impact on the audience.
Regular
Conforming to standard rules or norms.
Regular verbs follow a predictable conjugation pattern.
Permanent
Intended to last or remain unchanged indefinitely.
The sculpture was installed as a permanent exhibit in the gallery.
Regular
Characterized by consistency and routine.
Regular maintenance ensures the machine operates efficiently.
Permanent
Not expected to change or end.
The damage to the ancient manuscript is unfortunately permanent.
Regular
Not exceptional; average or typical.
The event was just a regular monthly meeting, nothing special.
Permanent
Secured or established without any anticipated end.
She obtained permanent residency after living in the country for five years.
Regular
Customary, usual, or normal
The train's regular schedule.
Permanent
Lasting or remaining without essential change
"the universal human yearning for something permanent, enduring, without shadow of change" (Willa Cather).
Regular
Orderly, even, or symmetrical
Regular teeth.
Permanent
Not expected to change in status, condition, or place
A permanent address.
Permanent secretary to the president.
Regular
In conformity with a fixed procedure, principle, or discipline.
Permanent
Any of several long-lasting hair styles usually achieved by chemical applications that straighten, curl, or wave the hair.
Regular
Well-ordered; methodical
Regular habits.
Permanent
Without end, eternal.
Nothing in this world is truly permanent.
Regular
Occurring at fixed intervals; periodic
Regular payments.
Permanent
Lasting for an indefinitely long time.
The countries are now locked in a permanent state of conflict.
Regular
Having bowel movements or menstrual periods with normal frequency.
Permanent
A chemical hair treatment imparting or removing curliness, whose effects typically last for a period of weeks; a perm.
Regular
Not varying; constant.
Permanent
Given an matrix , the sum over all permutations of .
Regular
Formally correct; proper.
Permanent
(trading card games) A card whose effects persist beyond the turn on which it is played.
Regular
Having the required qualifications for an occupation
Not a regular lawyer.
Permanent
To perm (the hair).
Regular
(Informal) Complete; thorough
A regular scoundrel.
Permanent
Continuing in the same state, or without any change that destroys form or character; remaining unaltered or unremoved; abiding; durable; fixed; stable; lasting; as, a permanent impression.
Eternity stands permanent and fixed.
Regular
(Informal) Good; nice
A regular guy.
Permanent
A series of waves in the hair made by applying heat and chemicals
Regular
(Botany) Having symmetrically arranged parts of similar size and shape
Regular flowers.
Permanent
Continuing or enduring without marked change in status or condition or place;
Permanent secretary to the president
Permanent address
Literature of permanent value
Regular
(Grammar) Conforming to the usual pattern of inflection, derivation, or word formation.
Permanent
Not capable of being reversed or returned to the original condition;
Permanent brain damage
Regular
(Ecclesiastical) Belonging to a religious order and bound by its rules
The regular clergy.
Regular
Having equal sides and equal angles. Used of polygons.
Regular
Having faces that are congruent regular polygons and congruent polyhedral angles. Used of polyhedrons.
Regular
Belonging to or constituting the permanent army of a nation.
Regular
(Ecclesiastical) A member of the clergy or of a religious order.
Regular
A soldier belonging to a regular army.
Regular
A dependable loyal person
One of the party regulars.
Regular
A clothing size designed for persons of average height.
Regular
A habitual customer.
Regular
(Christianity) Bound by religious rule; belonging to a monastic or religious order (often as opposed to secular).
Regular clergy, in distinction from the secular clergy
Regular
Having a constant pattern; showing evenness of form or appearance.
Regular
Both equilateral and equiangular; having all sides of the same length, and all (corresponding) angles of the same size
Regular
Whose faces are all congruent regular polygons, equally inclined to each other.
Regular
Demonstrating a consistent set of rules; showing order, evenness of operation or occurrence.
Regular
(astronomy) Of a moon or other satellite: following a relatively close and prograde orbit with little inclination or eccentricity.
Regular
Well-behaved, orderly; restrained (of a lifestyle etc.).
Regular
Happening at constant (especially short) intervals.
He made regular visits to go see his mother.
Regular
Following a set or common pattern; according to the normal rules of a given language.
"Walked" is the past tense of the regular verb "to walk".
Regular
Having the expected characteristics or appearances; normal, ordinary, standard.
Regular
Permanently organised; being part of a set professional body of troops.
Regular
Having bowel movements or menstrual periods at constant intervals in the expected way.
Maintaining a high-fibre diet keeps you regular.
Regular
(colloquial) Exemplary; excellent example of; utter, downright.
A regular genius; a regular John Bull
Regular
Having all the parts of the same kind alike in size and shape.
A regular flower; a regular sea urchin
Regular
(crystallography) Isometric.
Regular
(snowboarding) Riding with the left foot forward.
Regular
Such that every set in its domain is both outer regular and inner regular.
Regular
Regularly, on a regular basis.
Regular
A member of the British Army (as opposed to a member of the Territorial Army or Reserve).
Regular
A frequent, routine visitor to an establishment.
Bartenders usually know their regulars by name.
Regular
A member of an armed forces or police force.
Regular
A frequent customer, client or business partner.
This gentleman was one of the architect's regulars.
Regular
(Canada) A coffee with one cream and one sugar.
Regular
Anything that is normal or standard.
Regular
A member of a religious order who has taken the three ordinary vows.
Regular
A number for each year, giving, added to the concurrents, the number of the day of the week on which the Paschal full moon falls.
Regular
A fixed number for each month serving to ascertain the day of the week, or the age of the moon, on the first day of any month.
Regular
Conformed to a rule; agreeable to an established rule, law, principle, or type, or to established customary forms; normal; symmetrical; as, a regular verse in poetry; a regular piece of music; a regular verb; regular practice of law or medicine; a regular building.
Regular
Governed by rule or rules; steady or uniform in course, practice, or occurence; not subject to unexplained or irrational variation; returning at stated intervals; steadily pursued; orderlly; methodical; as, the regular succession of day and night; regular habits.
Regular
Constituted, selected, or conducted in conformity with established usages, rules, or discipline; duly authorized; permanently organized; as, a regular meeting; a regular physican; a regular nomination; regular troops.
Regular
Belonging to a monastic order or community; as, regular clergy, in distinction dfrom the secular clergy.
Regular
Thorough; complete; unmitigated; as, a regular humbug.
Regular
Having all the parts of the same kind alike in size and shape; as, a regular flower; a regular sea urchin.
Regular
Same as Isometric.
Regular
A member of any religious order or community who has taken the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, and who has been solemnly recognized by the church.
Regular
A soldier belonging to a permanent or standing army; - chiefly used in the plural.
Regular
A regular patron;
An habitue of the racetrack
A bum who is a Central Park fixture
Regular
A soldier in the regular army
Regular
A dependable follower (especially in party politics);
He is one of the party regulars
Regular
A garment size for persons of average height and weight
Regular
In accordance with fixed order or procedure or principle;
His regular calls on his customers
Regular meals
Regular duties
Regular
Often used as intensifiers;
A regular morass of details
A regular nincompoop
He's a veritable swine
Regular
Conforming to a standard or pattern;
Following the regular procedure of the legislature
A regular electrical outlet
Regular
(of solids) having clear dimensions that can be measured; volume can be determined with a suitable geometric formula
Regular
Regularly scheduled for fixed times;
At a regular meeting of the PTA
Regular bus departures
Regular
In accord with regular practice or procedure;
Took his regular morning walk
Her regular bedtime
Regular
Occurring at fixed intervals;
A regular beat
The even rhythm of his breathing
Regular
Relating to a person who does something regularly;
A regular customer
A steady drinker
Regular
(used of the military) belonging to or engaged in by legitimate army forces;
The regular army
Regular
Not constipated
Regular
Symmetrically arranged;
Even features
Regular features
A regular polygon
Regular
Not deviating from what is normal;
Her regular bedtime
Regular
Officially full-time;
Regular students
Common Curiosities
What makes a decision permanent?
A decision is deemed permanent if it is made with the intention of it being final and irreversible.
Can something be both regular and permanent?
Yes, some processes or conditions can be both regular and permanent if they occur consistently over an indefinite period, such as a permanent job with regular hours.
What does it mean for a job to be regular?
A regular job typically implies steady employment with consistent work hours and often, benefits.
What is a regular schedule?
A regular schedule consists of planned activities that occur at set times or intervals, ensuring consistency and predictability.
Can permanent markers be removed?
Permanent markers are designed to be water-resistant and non-washable, making them difficult to remove from most surfaces.
Is permanent residency the same as citizenship?
No, permanent residency allows a person to live indefinitely in a country, but does not grant them the full rights and privileges of a citizen, such as voting.
How do regular exams benefit students?
Regular exams help in assessing students’ understanding consistently, promoting steady academic engagement and improvement.
How does permanent paint differ from regular paint?
Permanent paint is formulated to resist washing, fading, and weathering, while regular paint may not have these long-lasting properties.
Why are some contracts described as permanent?
Some contracts, like certain employment agreements, are labeled permanent to indicate indefinite duration and stability of the arrangement.
How often should regular maintenance be performed?
The frequency of regular maintenance depends on the specific requirements of the equipment or system, often outlined in user manuals or guidelines.
What is regular income?
Regular income refers to earnings received consistently, such as weekly or monthly wages.
What are the benefits of regular updates to software?
Regular software updates provide ongoing improvements and security patches, enhancing functionality and protection.
What is the difference between permanent and temporary installations?
Permanent installations are intended to remain in place indefinitely, while temporary installations are set up for a limited time period.
Can a tattoo be considered permanent?
Yes, tattoos are considered permanent due to the ink being embedded into the skin, although they can fade over time and can technically be removed with laser treatment.
What are the implications of making a permanent change in an organization?
Making a permanent change in an organization often involves significant adjustments in structure or policy that are intended to have long-lasting effects.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
