firm

1 of 4

adjective

ˈfərm 

1

a

: securely or solidly fixed in place

his teeth were firm

b

: not weak or uncertain : vigorous

a firm handshake

c

: having a solid or compact structure that resists stress or pressure

firm apples

2

a(1)

: not subject to change or revision

a firm offer

a firm date

(2)

: not subject to price weakness : steady

firm commodities

b

: not easily moved or disturbed : steadfast

a firm believer in democracy

c

: well-founded

firm evidence of criminal activity

3

: indicating firmness or resolution

a firm mouth

a firm voice

firmly adverb

firmness noun

firm

2 of 4

adverb

: in a firm manner : steadfastly, fixedly

firm

3 of 4

verb

firmed; firming; firms

transitive verb

1

a

: to make secure or fast : tighten

firming her grip on the racquet

—often used with up

b

: to make solid or compact

firm the soil

2

: to put into final form : settle

firm a contract

firm up plans

3

: to give additional support to : strengthen

—usually used with up

intransitive verb

1

: to become firm : harden

—often used with up

2

: to recover from a decline : improve

the market is firming

firm

4 of 4

noun

1

: the name or title under which a company transacts business

2

: a partnership of two or more persons that is not recognized as a legal person distinct from the members composing it

3

: a business unit or enterprise

Synonyms

Adjective

• forceful
• hearty
• iron
• lusty
• robust
• solid
• stout
• strong
• sturdy
• vigorous

Verb

• concrete
• congeal
• freeze
• harden
• indurate
• set
• solidify

Noun

• business
• company
• concern
• enterprise
• establishment
• house
• interest
• outfit

Examples of firm in a Sentence

Adjective

She has a firm grasp of the basic principles.

They insist on maintaining firm control over the project.

He spoke to her in a soft but firm voice.

The time has come for us to take a firm stand.

The children need gentle but firm handling.

Verb

wait for the modeling clay to firm up before handling the finished pot

Noun

merged with another firm to become a major player in the brokerage business

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The other 70% of units would probably be leased in the $1,600 to $1,700, but that estimate isn’t firm, Levy said. —Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 27 June 2024

This year, six made the cut, five of them firm conservatives or hardliners. —Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 27 June 2024

Adverb

Bezos hires firm to explore the possibility of NFL team bid Amazon founder Jeff Bezos hired a firm to research a possible bid for the NFL’s Washington Commanders, sources told the Washington Post. —Alexandra Meeks, CNN, 24 Feb. 2023

The Fed plans to publish aggregate findings from the exercise but no firm-specific information. —Reuters, NBC News, 29 Sep. 2022

Verb

Once the election results firm up, von der Leyen will still need the support of 361 MEPs in the new parliament, which looks more skewed to the right than before. —Eva Roytburg, Fortune Europe, 10 June 2024

However, there were a few worth mentioning for their hydrating, firming, smoothing, and tightening benefits. —Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 9 May 2024

Noun

On March 15, Wolcott police were reportedly contacted by the firm again and told that Pratte had dropped off a document naming Pratte the power of attorney over Hamel’s finances, the warrant affidavit said. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 19 June 2024

Related article Berkshire Hathaway: Warren Buffett further unwinds BYD investment in China That investment has proved to be one of the firm’s most successful ever. —Laura He, CNN, 18 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective, Adverb, and Verb

Middle English ferm, from Anglo-French, from Latin firmus; akin to Greek thronos chair, throne

Noun

German Firma, from Italian, signature, ultimately from Latin firmare to make firm, confirm, from firmus

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

1744, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing firm

• hold firm
• law firm
• on firm ground/footing
• stand firm
• take a firm line

Kids Definition

firm

1 of 4 adjective

ˈfərm 

1

a

: solidly fixed in place

b

: not weak or uncertain : vigorous

c

: having a solid or compact texture

2

a

: not likely to be changed

a firm offer

b

: not easily moved or disturbed : steadfast

a firm believer

3

: indicating firmness or determination

firmly adverb

firmness noun

firm

2 of 4 adverb

: in a firm manner

stood firm

firm

3 of 4 verb

1

a

: to make secure

firm your grip on the racket

b

: to make solid or compact

firm the soil

2

: to become firm

firm

4 of 4 noun

: a business organization

law firm

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English ferm "firm, secure," from early French ferm (same meaning), from Latin firmus "firm, secure, solid"

Noun

from German firma "the name or sign under which a company does business," from Italian firma "signature," derived from Latin firmare "to make firm, to approve, to sign," from firmus "firm, secure"

Legal Definition

firm

noun

1

: the name or title under which a company transacts business

2

: a partnership of two or more persons that is not recognized as a legal person distinct from the members composing it

3

: a business unit or enterprise

Etymology

Noun

German Firma, from Italian, signature, ultimately from Latin firmare to make firm, confirm