firmlyadverb
uk/ˈfɜːm.li/us/ˈfɝːm.li/firmly adverb (NOT LOOSELY)
B2 in a way that will not become loose:
Make sure the rope is firmly attached before attempting to climb down.
More examples
- Carefully tighten the clamp until it firmly supports the pipette in a vertical position.
- The tent pegs should be fixed firmly in place.
- The hook had been screwed firmly into the wall.
- The handle needs to be attached more firmly to the door.
- Tighten the bolt until the lever fits firmly against the panel.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Safe and secure
- as safe as houses idiom
- bite
- coast
- copper-bottomed
- fail-safe
- friendly
- harm
- immune
- innocent
- innocuous
- inoffensive
- inviolate
- kind
- ozone-friendly
- safety net
- sb/sth won't bite idiom
- seaworthy
- securely
- sheltered
- the coast is clear idiom
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firmly adverb (STRONGLY)
B2 strongly and tightly:
He shook my hand firmly and climbed into the taxi.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Safe and secure
- as safe as houses idiom
- bite
- coast
- copper-bottomed
- fail-safe
- friendly
- harm
- immune
- innocent
- innocuous
- inoffensive
- inviolate
- kind
- ozone-friendly
- safety net
- sb/sth won't bite idiom
- seaworthy
- securely
- sheltered
- the coast is clear idiom
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firmly adverb (FORCEFULLY)
forcefully:
"You're not going to the party and that's that!" she said firmly.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Strong-willed
- a firm hand idiom
- adamant
- adamantine
- aggressive
- an iron hand/fist in a velvet glove idiom
- go-getter
- going
- gutsy
- hard-boiled
- hard-headed
- importunate
- pigheaded
- purposeful
- pushy
- ravening
- recalcitrant
- redoubtable
- will not take no for an answer idiom
- willful
- with guns blazing idiom
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firmly adverb (CERTAINLY)
B2 in a way that is certain or not likely to change:
We are firmly committed to reducing unemployment.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Certainty
- (as) clear as day idiom
- (as) sure as eggs is eggs idiom
- and that's flat! idiom
- assured
- assuredly
- bet
- consider it done idiom
- cut and dried
- decided
- decidedly
- definite
- doubt
- indeed
- natch
- pronounced
- proof positive
- seal
- set/put the seal on sth idiom
- shadow
- signed and sealed idiom
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