firmadjective
uk/fɜːm/us/fɝːm/firm adjective (HARD)
B2 not soft but not completely hard:
I'd rather sleep on a firm mattress than a soft one.
These pears are still too firm to eat.
More examples
- The ground was not firm enough to build on.
- The mixture should be firm to the touch after it has been baked.
- The going is described as good to firm.
- Place the template on a firm surface.
- The bed in the hotel was not firm enough.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Hard and firm
- (as) stiff/straight as a ramrod idiom
- adamantine
- cast iron
- congeal
- crisp
- crispy
- crunchy
- hard
- harden
- horny
- ossification
- ossify
- petrified
- ramrod
- rigid
- solid
- stiff
- stiffness
- temper
- unyielding
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firm adjective (FIXED)
well fixed in place or position:
The bridge provided a firm platform for the bungee jumpers.
fixed at the same level or opinion and not changing:
The government remains firm in its opposition to tax reform.
More examples
- On the foreign-exchange markets the pound remained firm.
- After weeks at sea, it was wonderful to feel firm ground beneath our feet once more.
- Make sure you've got a firm foothold on the rock before you climb up.
- Place the device on a firm, dry surface and make sure it is level.
- The house could collapse if it hasn't got firm foundations.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Immobility
- be locked in sth
- boxed in
- budge
- catatonic
- glue
- glued to the spot idiom
- grind to a halt/standstill idiom
- hold
- jam
- jammed
- motionless
- move
- not move a muscle idiom
- rest
- rock-solid
- sedentary
- stagnant
- static
- transfix
- unwavering
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Similar and the same
firm adjective (STRONG)
C2 strong and tight:
a firm handshake
Keep a firm hold of the handrail as you go down.
figurative No one seems to have a firm grip on the company at the moment.
figurative You need a firm grasp of mathematics to become an astronaut.
More examples
- She held the child's hand in a firm clasp as they crossed the road.
- Make sure that the soil around the base of the plant is firm, so that it is supported.
- When the glue has set, the bond will be firm and watertight.
- The nail holding this picture up isn't at all firm.
- Twist the pipe into position until the connection is completely firm.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Physically strong and powerful
- (as) tough as old boots idiom
- almighty
- billy-o
- brute
- burly
- elemental
- high-octane
- invincible
- invulnerable
- muscle-flexing
- omnipotent
- overpowering
- reckon
- stout
- sturdy
- superhuman
- to be reckoned with idiom
- tough
- toughie
- unabated
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firm adjective (CERTAIN)
B2 certain and not likely to change:
He is a firm believer in traditional family values.
Some people still claim that there is no firm evidence linking smoking with lung cancer.
More examples
- She had a firm conviction that they would meet again in the hereafter.
- It is my firm belief that nuclear weapons are immoral.
- He made a firm commitment to stop smoking.
- Make sure you have a firm understanding of the system before attempting any repairs.
- A firm decision has not yet been made over the club's future.
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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firm adjective (FORCEFUL)
C2 forceful and making people do what you want:
I was always very firm with my children - they knew the rules and I made sure they followed them.
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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Idiom(s)
a firm hand
hold/stand firm
firmnoun [ C ]
uk/fɜːm/us/fɝːm/B1 a company or business:
He works for a law firm called Neil and Vigliano.
He's just started working for an accountancy firm/a firm of accountants in Cambridge.
More examples
- Mr Black has been a client of this firm for many years.
- He works for a firm of painters and decorators.
- I had an interview for a job with a publishing firm.
- Our firm stands to lose a lot of money if the deal is unsuccessful.
- This new tax will put a lot of small firms out of business.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Enterprises
- acquirer
- acquiror
- agency
- airline
- answering service
- auction house
- carrier
- collective
- enterprise
- est
- establishment
- fragmented
- franchise
- franchisee
- outfit
- private company
- private practice
- Pty
- public company
- public limited company
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firmverb
uk/fɜːm/us/fɝːm/firm verb (MAKE HARD)
UK [ T ] to make soil harder by pressing on it:
Firm the soil around the cuttings and water them in.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Squeezing and grinding
- compact
- compress
- compression
- concertina
- constrict
- crush
- depress
- grind
- grind sth into sth
- ground
- mill
- pack
- pound
- pulp
- pulverize
- scrunch
- shut
- shut sth in sth
- squeeze
- squinch
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firm verb (STOP CHANGING)
[ I ] specialized finance & economics to stop changing or to remain at the same level, amount, etc.:
After a turbulent week on the markets, share prices firmed today.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Not able to be changed
- a leopard can't/doesn't change its spots idiom
- be no hard and fast rules idiom
- burn your boats/bridges idiom
- congenital
- continuity
- fixity
- hard line
- hard line
- immutable
- incorrigible
- incurable
- irreducible
- irremediable
- irreparable
- irretrievable
- irreversible
- ossify
- stuck
- uncompromising
- what's done is done idiom
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Phrasal verb(s)
firm sth up
firm (sth) up