firm

adjective

UK /fɜː(r)m/

Word Forms

adjective	firm
comparative	firmer
superlative	firmest

1
solid but not hard
The ground underfoot was fairly firm and not too muddy.
I sleep better on a firm mattress.
firm, ripe tomatoes
Synonyms and related words
Solid, stiff or hard
solid
stiff
hard
2
steady and fixed in place
Make sure the ladder is firm before you start to climb.
Synonyms and related words
Tight and held firmly in place
tight
firm
steady
1. 2a
  steady and not likely to change
  The dollar remained firm against the yen today.
  Synonyms and related words
  Unlikely or impossible to change
  unchanging
  firm
  rigid
3
definite and not likely to change
Have you set a firm date for the meeting?
a firm commitment:
We want a firm commitment that resources will be provided.
a firm belief/conviction:
It is my firm belief that we must encourage debate.
a firm believer:
Mark’s a firm believer in discipline for children.
a firm favourite:
The Rams are firm favourites to take the title this year.
Synonyms and related words
True, definite and based on facts
true
certain
objective
1. 3a
  definite and reliable
  firm evidence:
  No firm evidence links pollution with asthma.
  firm news:
  All we have at the moment is rumours – no firm news.
  Synonyms and related words
  Reliable and trustworthy
  reliable
  trustworthy
  consistent
  Synonyms and related words
  True, definite and based on facts
  true
  certain
  objective
4
showing that you are in control of a situation and will not be easily forced to do something
Her staff regard her as firm but fair.
What the party needs now is firm leadership.
be firm with someone:
You sometimes have to be firm with young children.
take firm action:
The government must take firm action to stop the fighting.
Synonyms and related words
Determined and ambitious
determined
ambitious
persistent
5
physically or mentally strong
She took a firm hold of the stick and pulled hard.
Her handshake was firm and her smile warm.
Bruce put a firm hand on my arm.
Synonyms and related words
Feeling, looking and being healthy
healthy
well
fit
Synonyms and related words
Physically strong
strong
powerful
athletic

phrases

a firm hand

hold firm to something

stand firm

take a firm stand/line

firm

adjective

US /fɜrm/

Word Forms

adjective	firm
comparative	firmer
superlative	firmest

1
solid but not hard
The ground beneath our feet was fairly firm and not too muddy.
I sleep better on a firm mattress.
firm, ripe tomatoes
Synonyms and related words
Solid, stiff or hard
solid
stiff
hard
2
steady and fixed in place
Make sure the ladder is firm before you start to climb.
Synonyms and related words
Tight and held firmly in place
tight
firm
steady
1. 2a
  steady and not likely to change
  The dollar remained firm against the yen today.
  Synonyms and related words
  Unlikely or impossible to change
  unchanging
  firm
  rigid
3
definite and not likely to change
Have you set a firm date for the meeting?
a firm commitment:
We want a firm commitment that resources will be provided.
a firm belief/conviction:
It is my firm belief that we must encourage debate.
a firm believer:
Mark’s a firm believer in discipline for children.
a firm favorite:
The Rams are firm favorites to take the title this year.
Synonyms and related words
True, definite and based on facts
true
certain
objective
1. 3a
  definite and reliable
  firm evidence:
  No firm evidence links pollution with asthma.
  firm news:
  All we have at the moment is rumors, no firm news.
  Synonyms and related words
  Reliable and trustworthy
  reliable
  trustworthy
  consistent
  Synonyms and related words
  True, definite and based on facts
  true
  certain
  objective
4
showing that you are in control of a situation and will not be easily forced to do something
Her staff regard her as firm but fair.
What the party needs now is firm leadership.
be firm with someone:
You sometimes have to be firm with young children.
take firm action:
The government must take firm action to stop the fighting.
Synonyms and related words
Determined and ambitious
determined
insistent
ambitious
5
physically or mentally strong
She took a firm hold of the stick and pulled hard.
Her handshake was firm and her smile warm.
Bruce put a firm hand on my arm.
Synonyms and related words
Feeling, looking and being healthy
healthy
well
fit
Synonyms and related words
Physically strong
strong
powerful
athletic

phrases

a firm hand

hold firm to something

stand firm

take a firm stand/line

firm

noun countable

UK /fɜː(r)m/

Word Forms

singular	firm
plural	firms

1
a business or company
a building/engineering/law firm
a large firm:
She works for a large firm.
firm of:
a firm of accountants/architects/solicitors
Synonyms and related words
General types of business or company
account
acquisition
affiliate

firm

noun countable

US /fɜrm/

Word Forms

singular	firm
plural	firms

1
a business or company
a building/engineering/law firm
a large firm:
She works for a large firm.
firm of:
a firm of accountants/architects/lawyers
Synonyms and related words
General types of business or company
account
acquisition
affiliate

firm

verb

UK /fɜː(r)m/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	firm
he/she/it	firms
present participle	firming
past tense	firmed
past participle	firmed

1
transitive to make something more solid and strong
Gently firm the earth around the new plants.
Synonyms and related words
To change consistency - general words
atomise
atomize
bake
1. 1a
  intransitive literaryto become or appear stronger
  Anna’s jaw firmed as she thought of what she must do.
  Synonyms and related words
  To become, or to make something stronger
  strengthen
  bolster
  intensify
2
intransitive to become less likely to change
Share prices have firmed for the fourth day in a row.
Synonyms and related words
To become more definite, or to make something more definite
make certain
beyond (any) doubt
confirm

phrasal verbs

firm up

firm

verb

US /fɜrm/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	firm
he/she/it	firms
present participle	firming
past tense	firmed
past participle	firmed

1
transitive to make something more solid and strong
Gently firm the earth around the new plants.
Synonyms and related words
To change consistency - general words
atomize
bake
boil
1. 1a
  intransitive literaryto become or appear stronger
  Anna’s jaw firmed as she thought of what she must do.
  Synonyms and related words
  To become, or to make something stronger
  strengthen
  intensify
  invigorate
2
intransitive to become less likely to change
Share prices have firmed for the fourth day in a row.
Synonyms and related words
To become more definite, or to make something more definite
make certain
confirm
crystallize

phrasal verbs

firm up

firm ​‌‌‌

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firm

firm

firm

firm

firm

firm