firmly
/ˈfəːmli
/adverb
1With little possibility of movement; securely: the door remained firmly shut figurative his work is rooted firmly in Chinese culture...
- The dialects of Northumberland have their foundations firmly rooted in Old English Anglo-Saxon, with huge influences from Scandanavia.
- Once the completed manuscript was bound between rigid covers clasped firmly shut, it was well protected.
- If they decided to sign, they would risk the anger of France and Germany, who were firmly embedded in the camp of "old Europe."
1.1In a way that uses steady power or strength: I had her wrist grasped firmly in my hand stop the bleeding by pressing firmly...
- If the camera has to be hand-held, brace the camera firmly, locking elbows against the body, or brace hands and body on a solid object such as a table.
- His foot was tingling, so he stepped on it firmly to squash it out.
- He folded another shirt and placed it firmly in his suitcase.
1.2With resolute determination and strength of character: the council is firmly committed to raising standards in education...
- Neither the federal nor the provincial government is firmly committed to long-term agri-environmental programs.
- A spokesman said the company remained "very firmly behind biotech technology."
- The minister said he stood firmly behind the man who had proposed him for the party leadership.
1.3Without doubt; definitely: I firmly believe that we could do better his reputation is now firmly established...
- By the mid-century, the market for paintings had been firmly established.
- I firmly believe we still have to teach "how to fish."
- He firmly believes that a healthful, well-managed dairy farm "starts with the soil."