not soft or yielding when pressed; comparatively solid, hard, stiff, or rigid: firm ground; firm texture.
securely fixed in place.
not shaking or trembling; steady: a firm voice.
not likely to change; fixed; settled; unalterable: a firm belief.
steadfast or unwavering, as persons or principles: firm friends.
indicating firmness or determination: a firm expression.
not fluctuating much or falling, as prices, values, etc.: The stock market was firm today.
verb (used with object)
to make firm; tighten or strengthen (sometimes followed by up): to firm up one's hold on something.
to steady or fix (sometimes followed by up): to firm up prices.
verb (used without object)
to become firm or fixed (sometimes followed by up): Butter firms by churning.
(of prices, markets, etc.) to recover; become stronger, as after a decline (sometimes followed by up): Stock prices firmed again today.
adverb,firm·er,firm·est.
firmly: He stood firm.
Origin of firm
1
First recorded in 1300–50; from Latin firmus; replacing Middle English ferm(e), from Middle French ferm(e), from Latin
SYNONYMS FOR firm
2 fast, stable, immovable.
4 established, confirmed.
5 determined, immovable, staunch, reliable.
SEE SYNONYMS FOR firm ON THESAURUS.COM
ANTONYMS FOR firm
1 yielding, soft.
SEE ANTONYMS FOR firm ON THESAURUS.COM
synonym study for firm
1. Firm,hard,solid,stiff are applied to substances that tend to retain their form unaltered in spite of pressure or force. Firm often implies that something has been brought from a yielding state to a fixed or elastic one: An increased amount of pectin makes jellies firm.Hard is applied to substances so resistant that it is difficult to make any impression upon their surface or to penetrate their interior: as hard as a stone.Solid is applied to substances that without external support retain their form and resist pressure: Water in the form of ice is solid. It sometimes denotes the opposite of hollow: a solid block of marble.Stiff implies rigidity that resists a bending force: as stiff as a poker.
a partnership or association for carrying on a business.
the name or title under which associated parties transact business: the firm of Smith & Jones.
Origin of firm
2
1565–75; <Spanish firma signature (hence, legal name of a partnership, etc.), noun derivative firmar to sign <Latin firmāre to strengthen, confirm, derivative of firmusfirm1
He declined to discuss why the RDIF chose his firm or to elaborate on the specific media services provided to the fund.
Exclusive: Did This Manhattan Firm Help Shield a Russian Fund From Sanctions?|Bill Conroy|November 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And Goldin Solutions is not the lone U.S. firm retained by the RDIF.
Exclusive: Did This Manhattan Firm Help Shield a Russian Fund From Sanctions?|Bill Conroy|November 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
UPDATE: "My firm has done nothing to shield anyone or any entity from any sanctions," Goldin told The Daily Beast in an email.
Exclusive: Did This Manhattan Firm Help Shield a Russian Fund From Sanctions?|Bill Conroy|November 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Even her brother, Sheriff, who tried to pick her up to cuddle her, was pushed away with a firm “no” and a shriek.
The Life of a Liberian Child with Ebola|Sarah Crowe|November 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She saw that his lips were firm, under his soft faded mustache.
Main Street|Sinclair Lewis
Benito descended very gently, and again found himself on the firm sand.
Eight Hundred Leagues on the Amazon|Jules Verne
Her lips were red and sweetly curved, her cheek was smooth and firm as so much brown velvet.
Spacehounds of IPC|Edward Elmer Smith
Holding his steed with a firm grip, he raised his right hand to the shouting besiegers, signifying that he wished to speak.
Legends of the Rhine|Wilhelm Ruland
At the factory he flung himself into the affairs of the firm with a zeal that at times bordered on officiousness.
Quin|Alice Hegan Rice
British Dictionary definitions for firm (1 of 2)
firm1
/ (fɜːm) /
adjective
not soft or yielding to a touch or pressure; rigid; solid
securely in position; stable or stationary
definitely established; decided; settled
enduring or steady; constant
having determination or strength; resolute
(of prices, markets, etc) tending to rise
adverb
in a secure, stable, or unyielding mannerhe stood firm over his obligation to pay
verb
(sometimes foll by up)to make or become firm
(intr)Australianhorse racing(of a horse) to shorten in odds
Derived forms of firm
firmly, adverbfirmness, noun
Word Origin for firm
C14: from Latin firmus
British Dictionary definitions for firm (2 of 2)
firm2
/ (fɜːm) /
noun
a business partnership
any commercial enterprise
a team of doctors and their assistants
Britishslang
a gang of criminals
a gang of football hooligans
Word Origin for firm
C16 (in the sense: signature): from Spanish firma signature, title of a partnership or business concern, from firmar to sign, from Latin firmāre to confirm, from firmus firm