What does permute mean?
Permute means to rearrange elements by changing their order or positions. The action can involve anything from a sequence of letters to objects in a mathematical set, and in formal or technical contexts it usually implies a systematic interchange rather than a casual adjustment. The word is particularly common in mathematics, where permuting elements of a set produces another arrangement, and in computing, where algorithms may permute data. It also appears in discussions of word games, puzzles, and linguistic analysis. Although 'permute' is often used as a more specialized alternative to 'rearrange' or 'reorder,' it can be effective when emphasizing the deliberate exchange of positions or the exhaustive consideration of possible arrangements.
verbTo rearrange or change the order of elements, especially elements in a sequence or collection. In mathematics, it means to interchange the positions of two or more items.
- To change the order or arrangement of elements in a sequence or collection.
- In mathematics, to interchange the positions of two or more objects among a set.
"The program permutes the items in the list to produce a new arrangement."
"The editor permuted the paragraphs to give the argument a clearer structure."
"A permutation of the letters can be used to generate a new password."
Permute comes from Latin permutare, literally 'to change around'—the mathematical ancestor of rearranging almost anything.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does permute come from?
Permute entered English in the early 16th century from Latin permutare, a form of permutare meaning 'to change completely' or 'to interchange.' Its components combine the intensive prefix per- with mutare, 'to change,' which is also the source of related words such as mutable, mutation, commute, and immutable. The mathematical sense developed from the general idea of changing the order of elements.
Related word forms
How permute is actually used
The word is relatively formal and is especially common in mathematics, computing, and discussions of arrangements. In everyday speech, 'rearrange' is usually more natural.
Easily confused with permute
To permute something is to change the arrangement or order of its elements; to mutate something is to cause it to undergo a biological or genetic change.